Police Survivors Benefit
honors officers killed on duty

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Two years ago, 15th Police District community relations officer Gary Skerski was murdered just 12 days before the annual Police Survivors Benefit.
This year, 24th Police District Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski was killed two weeks before the benefit.
An estimated 2,000 people will gather on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Finnigan’s Wake, at Third and Spring Garden streets, to honor the memory of Liczbinski an all other Philadelphia police officers killed in the line of duty.
"When this happens, it really brings the whole event into a different light," said event organizer Rich Eberhart, a retired Philadelphia cop. "It brings more meaning."
There have already been two fund-raising events leading up to the benefit.
On May 3, 20 teams competed in a Wiffle ball tournament near Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 headquarters, at Broad and Spring Garden streets. About $3,500 has been raised.
The tournament was interrupted by news of Liczbinski’s shooting, and members of the police aviation unit — who were playing Wiffle ball — immediately left to search in the sky for the killers.
This past Saturday, the men of internationalhunk.com raised money by drying automobiles that passed through the White Glove Car Wash at Harbison Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard.
This coming Saturday will feature a block party atmosphere outside Finnigan’s Wake and plenty of activities inside.
There will be live music by Dame, SixtySixK, Temple of Funk, Se7en, Big Time, Touché, Abstract, Carousel Union and Philly Heat. Items will be available in an auction and raffle. Food and beer will be provided.
Tickets cost $25, and the organizers are hoping to raise about $70,000. The 12th annual benefit will be held rain or shine.
"We’re keeping our fingers crossed for good weather," Eberhart said.
Money raised helps pay for a luncheon for surviving families. The annual event is held during National Police Week, and last week’s event attracted more than 250 people to the FOP hall.
The fund also enables families to travel to police memorials in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
"They’re still in the hearts and minds of the members of the FOP," Eberhart said.
On Friday, the fund provided a hospitality room at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, site of Liczbinski’s funeral Mass, and for a reception for the family at the FOP hall.
There will be a variety of items available for auction. The list includes an autographed copy of the book Lovely Bones, by Mark Wahlberg, and a Philadelphia Eagles green No. 83 jersey signed by former player Vince Papale and Wahlberg, who played Papale in the movie Invincible.
Former Phillies relief pitcher Mitch Williams has supplied a T-shirt and autographed baseball. Jody McDonald will welcome an individual to spend an hour in the studio during his sports talk show on WPEN 950 AM.
Four tickets to each of the Eagles two preseason games will be available. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has signed a football. There are also official NFL footballs signed by the NFC and AFC Pro Bowl players.
The Phillies have donated a variety of giveaways, along with 16 tickets in a suite and four parking passes to a game on June 4.
Two tickets to this year’s Army/Navy football game and tailgate party and a parking pass are also up for grabs.
The band Good Charlotte is offering a signed microphone, while a guitar features the signatures of the performers at last year’s Q102 Jingle Ball concert.
Folks will also have a chance to bid on a one-hour in-office session with psychic Valerie Morrison.
Donations can be sent to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 1336 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. oo
For more information, call the FOP at 215-629-3600 or visit www.fopsurvivorsfund.com
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com