Lorain, Ohio – On Friday night, the community came together for Rockin’ on the River in downtown Lorain to show support for the three Lorain officers who were shot, one fatally, during an ambush earlier this week.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the police department’s charitable foundation. This money will benefit the officers’ families.
The Fraternal Order of Police set up a tent near the stage to collect donations.
“To help raise money for the families of these three officers and, of course, officer Wagner,” stated TJ Assion, FOP state vice president.
Assion stated that all money collected at the tent will go directly to the officers’ families.
“We’re here to let them know they’re not alone in this loss. “We feel it all over Ohio,” he explained.
“We only use one agency for safety and security, which is the Lorain Police Department,” said Tom Brown of the Lorain Port and Finance Authority. “When this senseless tragedy happened, we took a pause.”
According to Brown, organizers consulted with the police department before making a decision.
“We thought we’d cancel,” Brown said. “They said they wanted to work, they wanted the opportunity to raise funds for the families affected by this tragedy, and things just kind of snowballed from there. We had already received donations before we opened the gate.”
Now, a portion of the proceeds from both shows this weekend will benefit the Lorain Police Officers Charitable Foundation.
“Everybody has been so supportive and tonight is an opportunity for people, whether it’s a dollar, $5, $10, whatever they can give,” Brown told the media.
Rockin’ on the River announced that they will continue to honor the brave officers throughout the weekend.
The summer concert series at Black River Landing took on a new dimension.
“When people face adversity in this area, they band together.” “It’s a terrible tragedy, and I hope we can help that family,” Brown said.
