Pancakes served to honor fallen officers

By Lauren McGlone
Collegian Editor
April 2, 2009

A pancake breakfast fundraiser was held at Blue and Gold Dining Commons March 28 to honor the memory of Philadelphia police officers killed in the line of duty. The event was held from 6 to 10 a.m. at the dining hall, which is usually closed on weekends.

The event raised money for the Police Survivor’s Fund, which allows the Michael G. Lutz Lodge #5 of the Fraternal Order of Police to honor the families of fallen officers with a luncheon during Police Week, celebrated annually in May, as signed into law by President Kennedy in 1962.

For a $6 admission, patrons were given three large pancakes with a side of sausage, as well as a selection of milk, orange juice and coffee.

Officers of the nearby 35th and 14th districts, including Captain John McCloskey of the 35th district, attended the breakfast.

As guests of B&G enjoyed their breakfast, photocopied papers displaying the images of recently-fallen officers were scattered on the tables. Volunteers at the event wore shirts begging the question “When is Enough Enough?”

On Feb. 13, Officer John Pawlowski was shot and killed at the intersection of Broad Street and Olney Avenue as he responded to a call. The incident resulted in the arrest of Rasheed Scrugs and a rerouting of the La Salle shuttle system.

Pawlowski is just one of five Philadelphia Police officers recently killed in the line of duty.

A total of 227 officers have been killed in the line of duty.

In addition to events such as the pancake breakfast at La Salle, the biggest fundraiser for the families of fallen officers is the annual Police Survivor’s Benefit, to be held May 16 at Finnegan’s Wake. The fund bears the motto “All Gave Some, Some Gave All.”

For more information about donating to the Police Survivors Fund, visit fopsurvivorsfund.com.

mcglonel1@student.lasalle.edu