Philadelphia Stories Archives

The Philadelphia Police Foundation (PPF) celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with its annual gala on June 5th, 2024 at the Union League. A memorable and dynamic evening that allows PPF to continue to fund the vital, yet unbudgeted, needs of the Philadelphia Police Department. The Foundation has four support pillars which NFB revenue will allow the Foundation to fund:

Reducing the Gun Violence epidemic by Funding Unbudgeted Crime Reduction Initiatives.
Supporting Officer Wellness Programs and Police Accountability Initiatives
Providing Strategic and Advanced Training Opportunities at All Levels of the PPD
Providing Engagement Opportunities Between the Philadelphia Police and the Youth of the City

**John Kitzinger,** Chief at Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, **Michelle A. Henry,** Attorney General of Pennsylvania and **Kevin Bethel,** Philadelphia’s police commissioner and **Brian Stevenson,** Stevenson Advocacy

Darium Poke Senior Manager at Baker Tilly US and **Susan Slawson**, a retired Lieutenant of the *Philadelphia* Police Department, Management Consultant, now Commissioner of Parks & Recreation.

**Nicole Cashman, Cashman & Associates** and **Oliver Badgio**, Steak 48

**Mike Hess** and **Sheila Hess**, PAL Board Member, **Kathy Albanese,** IBX and PPF Board Member, **Scott Barnes**, VP Special Events Comcast and **Lara Price**

**Valerie Martin, Amy Riley,** co-chair and board of directors, **JT Lewis,** PHL Airport

**Justin Frank,** Police Captain **Austin Fraser** and Tony Payton, Jr.

From an article in Chestnut Hill Local:

Austin Fraser stepped into his new position as captain of Philadelphia’s 14th police district, which includes not only Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, but also Germantown, Stenton and parts of West Oak Lane, back in mid-December. Right away he knew this job was “totally different.”

Fraser came to the district from the department’s Real Time Crime Center, a division of the police Intelligence Bureau. There, he worked to create a safer Philadelphia using data and other information.

Sergeant Richard Mendez was shot and killed at the Philadelphia International Airport’s Garage D at about 11:00 p.m. 22 years and 11 months serving on the Philadelphia Police Department.

Fallen Philadelphia Police Sergeant **Richard Carrero Mendez** widow **Alex Carrero** and daughter **Mia Carrero** were on hand as the Sergeant was honored. During the ceremony it was announced that Mia had attended college, while going to high school, and just graduated at age 19 with her bachelors degree from Temple University.

**Sam Korman, Steve Korman, and Bradley Korman,** Board of Directors

Last year was a record shattering Night for Blue which took place on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 and, for the first time in the history of the Philadelphia Police Foundation, $1,000,000 was raised. In addition, more than 575 people were on hand at the even as the 2023 Founders Award was presented to the Korman Family – Brad Korman, Steven Korman and Linda Richardson-Korman.

Widows of fallen officers: **Judy Cassidy, Marissa Fitzgerald** and **Linda Lorenzo** were also acknowledged during the ceremony.

**Sharrie Williams,** 6ABC, **Kevin Bethel,** Philadelphia’s police commissioner, **Gregory E. Deavens** President and Chief Executive Officer for Independence Health Group, **Maureen Rush,** Philadelphia Police Foundation President and **Erin McKenna Zimmerman,** Executive Director at Philadelphia Police Foundation

This year Independence Blue Cross was honored.

Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is the region’s hometown health insurer. For more than 85 years, it has been at the heart of the Philadelphia community and committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities it serves.

Giving back to the community is a cornerstone value at IBX. Through its corporate giving and volunteer programs, IBX supports hundreds of diverse nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. This includes key initiatives of the Philadelphia Police Foundation, such as gun violence reduction programs, officer wellness, anti-bias training, highway patrol helmets, and N95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania, IBX delivers innovative, competitively priced health care products and services; rewards coordinated, quality care; and promotes equitable, whole-person health.

–Gregory E. Deavens, CPA, CGMA,President and CEO, Independence Blue Cross

**Kevin Bethel,** Philadelphia’s police commissioner and **Maureen S. Rush** M.S., CPP who is holding a Philly police drone ready for service. Each one costs $25ks, and before the night was over three generous guests funded the first three to be put into service.

Another successful fundraising year for PPF as over a million dollars were raised this year.