PITTSBURGH -- Team 4 has learned more than $1.4 million has been raised to benefit the families of the three Pittsburgh police officers who were shot to death in Stanton Heights in April.
The following report by Team 4 investigator Paul Van Osdol first aired June 25, 2009, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.
Watch Paul's Report Until now, the Fraternal Order of Police has not said how much it has raised, but it disclosed the amount in a petition filed earlier this month with Allegheny County Orphans' Court.
The FOP is asking the court to decide how that money should be divided among the families of officers Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo.
From concerts to T-shirts, support for the families of the three fallen officers has been overwhelming. For the first time, here are the totals:
- Cash donations of $912,000
- T-shirt sales of $449,000
- $83,000 designated to educate children of Mayhle and Kelly
Dan O'Hara, FOP: "I think people will be surprised at the amount of money we raised. The money we raised more than ensures these families will lead reasonably good lives. They will be by no means wealthy, but nonetheless it will supplement everything the city is taking care of."
So far, each of the families has gotten $10,000, and the mother of Kelly tells Team 4 she is frustrated that her grandchildren have not gotten more.
The FOP president says he has tried to make sure the families' short-term needs are met, but he wants to be sure the money is divided fairly.
O'Hara: "All the money has been accounted for. Every penny. And the money is in an account that I have no control over, either. That's up to a judge's order."
Today, we also talked to Sciullo's father. He says he has no problems with the way the money has been handled so far.
In the next few weeks, the FOP will give the court its recommendation on how the money should be split up. On July 20, a judge will hold a hearing to determine the final allocation.
Slideshow Photos: Pittsburgh Remembers Officers' Sacrifice At Petersen Events Center Service Slideshow Photos: Images From The Crime Scene, Downtown Viewing
Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
