Fallen officers to be
honored in annual salute

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

For the 11th year in a row, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 will mark National Police Week with a salute to slain Philadelphia police officers and their families.
The Police Survivors Benefit is set for Saturday, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Finnigan’s Wake, the popular Irish bar at Third and Spring Garden streets in Northern Liberties.
"We take over the whole place for the whole four hours," said Rich Eberhart, a recently retired police officer who heads the organizing committee.
Money raised will go toward providing Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas presents for families of murdered police officers. It also funds transportation to police memorials in Center City and Harrisburg, along with other needs of widows.
In addition, the police union sponsors an annual luncheon. This year’s luncheon, held on May 2 and featuring policeman-turned-Judge Seamus McCaffery as guest speaker, attracted 240 family members of murdered officers. The crowd included Anne Skerski, whose husband Gary was shot to death last May while responding to an armed holdup at a Northwood bar.
The organizing committee counts on sponsors such as Clear Channel, which donated 29 billboards, and the Q102 morning team, which is promoting the event on the air. It’s also grateful to Finnigan’s Wake for making the place available and all of the folks who attend.
"It’s a really nice day," said Bob Eddis, president of Lodge 5. "We get a lot of support from the community."
Besides the admission price — $20 in advance, $25 at the door — money will be raised through silent and Chinese auctions.
Most of the prizes are sports related. They include tickets to the Army/Navy football game in Baltimore, Phillies/Chicago White Sox tickets for June and Eagles preseason games against the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets in August.
There is a Jimmy Rollins autographed baseball, a hockey helmet and stick autographed by the Flyers and footballs signed by the players in the NFL Pro Bowl and by Philadelphia Soul owners Jon Bon Jovi and Ron Jaworski.
In addition, there’s an opportunity to hang out with Jody McDonald for an hour as he broadcasts his sports show on WPEN (950 AM).
The prizes also include tickets to concerts by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Steely Dan and Roger Waters, a Christina Aguilera tour book and a guitar autographed by a variety of celebrities.
Also up for grabs is a six-person VIP tour of CBS 3’s new studio and a chance to view a live broadcast of Eyewitness News.
The four-hour fund-raiser will be held rain or shine. It will feature a dunk tank, and six bands will play inside and outside. They are Abstract, Bogside Rogues, Dame, Philly Heat, Seven and Soul Cruisers.
Last year’s event raised more than $72,000 and attracted about 2,000 guests.
"We expect as big a turnout, if not bigger," Eberhart said.
Last weekend, the FOP raised money from motorists at Harbison Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard and also organized a car wash at the nearby White Glove. Eberhart thanked White Glove owner Denny Glick for allowing his business to be used for the fund-raiser on a nice spring Saturday afternoon. ••
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The cost includes food, beer and live entertainment.
Anyone who cannot attend the event can send donations to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 1336 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123.
For advance tickets or more information, call the FOP at 215-629-3600 or go to www.fopsurvivorsfund.com