Since our founding, Officer Down has provided over $200,000 in monetary assistance to over Forty deceased or permanently disabled law enforcement officers and their families throughout the state.
Len Werner – Chairman
Officer Down, Inc.
2003 – Officer Down assisted the following Officers and their families
- Trooper Christopher Scales of The New Jersey State Police
- SGT Thomas Prettyman of The Lawrence Township Police Department
- SGT Barbara Davis-Gentry of The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
- Sheriff’s Officer Kathy Koval of The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
- Sheriff’s Officer Jim Davies of The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
- Det. Edward Sullivan of The Princeton Borough Police Department
- Officer Frank Reccia of The Hamilton Township Police Department
‘SummerStock 03’ helped raise monies for five Officers from throughout Mercer County and One State Trooper, Christopher Scales, who had died in the line of duty. ‘SummerStock 03’ was a resounding success and raised more than $25, 000 dollars for these Officers and/or their families. The event combining an emotional opening ceremony honoring all these brave Officers and their families with live music, games, and raffle prizes . . . all proceeds were evenly distributed amongst the recipients . . . Unfortunately, this event was soured by the news of the demise of a Brother Officer. Frank Recchia of the Hamilton Township Police Department and PBA Local 66 died on the day of ‘SummerStock 03’. Upon hearing this, Sean, Christina and Mike (organization founders) were determined not to wait another year to help Frank’s widow and children . . .
In November of ‘03, the First Officer Down Bachelor Auctions sponsored by Philadelphia radio station mix 95.7 and KatManDu Trenton was held and more than $3,000 were donated to the widow and family of Officer Frank Reccia.
Officer Down was off and running, adding more fund-raising events and attempting to assist more Brother and Sister Officers from all over New Jersey.
2004 – Officer Down assisted the following Officers and their families
- Trooper Bertram Zimmerman of The New Jersey State Police
- Sheriff’s Officer Christina Kalm of The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
- Lieutenant Dennis Shepard of The Trenton Police Department
- Officer William Ford of The East Windsor Police Department
- Officer Charlie Perez of Burlington County Corrections
- Officer Bobbie Custis of the The Ewing Township Police Department
- Parole Officer Steven Paparazzi of The New Jersey State Parole
- Officer Joseph Esposito of The Trenton Police Department
Once again, Sean, Christina, Mike, and a group of dedicated members decided that in order to raise even more money for these worthy Officers they needed more fund-raising events. So a Motorcycle run was added to ‘SummerStock’ and The Bachelor Auction, The East Windsor Township Police Softball Tournament also donated ALL proceeds from their event giving Officer Down four events from which monies would be pooled and equally distributed to their recipients. Recipients received more than $3,000 each.
2005 – Officer Down assisted the following Officers and their families
- Officer Thomas McMeekin of The Atlantic City Police Department
- SGT. Fran Schumacher of The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Joseph ‘Joey’ Nocera of The Trenton Police Department
- Officer Greg Anderson of The Deptford Township Police Department
- Officer Dominick Calabrese Jr of The Mount Laurel Police Department
Officer Down continued to grow, adding more events, including a golf tournament, banquet, and receiving even more public support . . . Additionally, Officer Down began receiving corporate sponsorship from the West Auto group. Owner Glen and Leslie West began and have continued to generously support Officer Down in their goal to assist permanently disabled and deceased Officers and their families.
In March 2005 Officer Down sponsored a Bone Marrow drive at the Hamilton Township Hibernian hall to benefit a Vermont State trooper in desperate needs of a bone transplant. Officers from as far as Allentown and Harrisburg Pennsylvania travel to lend their support for one of our falling comrades.
May 2005, Officer Down receives tax exempt 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service.
Officer Down continues to assist Brother and Sister Officers without prejudice.
In January 2006 Officer Down held their first banquet honoring their recipients and sponsors. More than 200 people attended; helping raise money and awareness for the organization and their brave recipients. Recipients received $4,500.00 each
2006 – Officer Down assisted the following Officers and their families:
- Lieutenant Keith Hillman of The West Windsor Police Department
- Officer Roy Hernesh of The West Windsor Police Department
- Detective Lisa Alvarez of The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Roy Wells of The Maple Shade Police Department
- Officer William Gray of The Trenton Police Department
In August 2006, Gold’s Gym Lawrenceville and Officer Down joined forces to present Guns-N-Hoses boxing; a boxing event of Cops vs. Firemen held at The Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. All Monies going towards Officer Down and assorted firefighter charities.
2007 – Officer Down is assisted the following Officers and their families
- Officer Michael ‘Mickey O’ O’Loughlin of The Bergen County Prosecutors Office
- Officer Scott Stanton of The Ewing Police Department
- Officer Tyron Franklin of The Paterson Police Department
- Sergeant Tommaso Popolizio of The Newark Police Department
- C/O Reginald Phelps of The Mercer County Department Of Public Safety
- Detective Kieran Shields of The Orange Police Department
Officer Down begins to receive more corporate sponsors, Commerce bank, Charlie Allen Collision, and Chickie and Pete’s restaurant to name a few.
2008 – Officer Down assisted the following Officers and their families
- Officer Anthony Anstatt of The Bergen County Sherriff’s Office
- Officer Joseph J. Ruggiano of The Chesterfield Township Police Department
- Officer Quinton Hayes of The Mercer County Sherriff’s Department
- Officer William ‘Niche’ Preslar of The Lakewood Police Department
- Officer Peter Scarabaggio of The Juvenile Justice Commission
- Special Investigator John McAloon of The Office Of Homeland Security
- Officer Joseph Gachetti of The Trenton Police Department
2009 – Officer Down assisted the following Officers and their families
- Officer Kenneth Santucci of the Belleville Police Dept.
- Lieutenant Al Deverin of the Middlesex County Corrections
- Detective Sergeant 1st Class Dwayne Kelley of the New Jersey State Police
- Captain Mike Carroll of the Pine Hill Police Dept.
- Officer Thomas Raji of the Perth Amboy Police Dept.
- Lieutenant Christopher Zerby of the N. Brunswick Police Dept.
As Officer Down continues to grow we add more events which now includes a Motorcycle run, ‘SummerStock’, a Golf Tournament, Guns N Hoses Boxing Event and the Annual Banquet.
Officer Down is still committed to our founding principles, helping any permanently disabled or deceased Law Enforcement Officer and their families in need. Officer Down is there to ensure our Brother and Sister Officers are . . . Not Forgotten.
