Police Officer Peter Figoski gave his life to keep a great city safe. Wouldn’t it be terrific if New Yorkers now made sure that his four daughters get a good education?
To that end, the New York City Police Foundation and The Post have launched the Police Foundation Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund.
“I want to thank the New York City Police Foundation and The New York Post for establishing [a] scholarship fund for Police Officer Figoski’s four daughters,” said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.
“Officer Figoski gave his life for this city, and I am proud to see so many people reach out and express [their] appreciation.”
The reaction was swift and inspirational.
“There is no better way to honor the memory of Police Officer Figoski then to ensure that his four daughters are well cared for and educated,” said PBA President Patrick J. Lynch.
“It’s wonderful that [people are] reaching out to help this family,” said TV journalist Katie Couric, who quickly wrote a check. “It’s great to see everyone coming together to support one of New York’s Finest families in their time of need.”
Mayor Bloomberg also praised the effort: “This is making the aftermath of a truly unspeakable tragedy a lot better,” he said.
Figoski was fatally shot early Monday doing what he had done for 22 years: responding to a dangerous 911 call as a New York City police officer in one of the city’s most crime-plagued precincts.
He loved the city — and his work.
But the daughters he left behind — Christine, 20, and Caitlyn, 18, both of whom attend college in upstate New York; Carolyn, 16, and Corrine, 14 — always came first.
“He had two things in his life: his family — his four daughters, that he did everything for — and he was a police officer,” said John Giangrasso, a cop who worked with Figoski in Brooklyn’s 75th Precinct.
“There was no third thing Giangrasso added. “That was all he talked about.”
For decades, Figoski put his life on the line for the city. On Monday, he made the ultimate sacrifice.
New Yorkers can certainly show their appreciation by contributing toward the education of his now-fatherless daughters.
Donations to the Police Foundation Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund are tax deductible, and electronic contributions can be made with credit and debit cards online at www.nycpolicefoundation.org.
Checks should be sent to:
Police Foundation Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund
c/o New York Post
PO Box 1013
New York, NY 10108
Or mailed to:
Police Foundation Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund
555 5th Ave. 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017