The New York City Police Foundation and the New York Post have launched the Police Foundation Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund to raise money for the higher education of the slain hero cop’s four daughters.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly thanked The Post for making an initial contribution to the fund of $25,000.
“Police Officer Figoski gave his life for this city, and, as a New Yorker, I am proud to see so many people reach out and express appreciation for Officer Figoski and support for his daughters, who have lost a loving father,” Kelly said.
Figoski, who was killed early Monday morning, left behind his beloved daughters, Christine, 20, a SUNY Oneonta undergrad; Caitlyn 18, a SUNY Plattsburgh undergrad; and Carolyn, 16, and Corrine, 14, high- school students in West Babylon, LI.
Donations to the Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund are tax deductible and can be made by mailing checks to the charity’s addresses.
Also, credit- and debit-card contributions to the fund can be made online. at http://www.nycpolicefoundation.org.
The board chair of the Police Foundation, Valerie Salembier, urged New Yorkers to give, and hailed Figoski as “an exemplary police officer in every way,’’ adding, “his dedication and commitment to this city will never be forgotten.”
Scores of New Yorkers — from hourly-wage workers to millionaires — rallied behind the cause yesterday.
Katie Couric, who will make a donation, said, “It’s wonderful that The Post is reaching out to New Yorkers to help this family. It’s great to see everyone coming together to support one of New York’s Finest families in their time of need.”
There was also an outpouring of support from elected officials fed up with the violence against NYPD officers.
Mayor Bloomberg, who noted he regularly donates to the New York City Police Foundation, said, “It’s really wonderful that the Post is raising this money.”
“Along with the funds headed to the Figoski family from the New York City Police Foundation and the New York Police & Fire Widow and Children’s Benefit Fund — two groups I’ve supported for years in my personal philanthropy and am helping again this year — this is making the aftermath of a truly unspeakable tragedy a lot better,” he added.
Another notable billionaire vowed to cut an anonymous check, as did others in the world of finance.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also opened her checkbook.
“I greatly applaud this effort to ensure a good education for his four daughters, because when the cameras go away, we cannot and will not forget his family,” she said.
How to make a contribution:
Donations can be made by mailing checks to the following addresses, or with a credit or debit card at http://www.nycpolicefoundation.org.
* Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund
c/o New York Post
PO Box 1013
New York, NY 10108
* Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund
NY Police Foundation
555 5th Ave.
15th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Additional reporting by David K. Li, Amber Sutherland, Don Kaplan