THE BRONX — A series of fundraising campaigns have been launched to support the family of fallen NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia, who was shot dead while sitting in a mobile command truck in the Fordham section Wednesday morning.
Answer the Call and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which support the families of city first responders killed in the line of duty, are accepting donations for Familia’s three children.
Thin Blue Line USA, a national organization that supports law-enforcement families across the country, is also raising money for her family.
Familia, 48, was assigned to an anti-crime team stationed on the corner of 183rd Street and Morris Avenue when parolee Alexander Bonds, 34, walked up to the vehicle and shot her in the head around 12:30 a.m., police said.
Her partner and other officers then fatally shot Bonds after a brief foot pursuit, the NYPD said.
Familia was the first female NYPD officer to die in the line of duty since Sept. 11.
Answer the Call, which was started by former New York Mets outfielder Rusty Staub, provides families of fallen first responders with more than $250,000 on average raised through donations. It kicked off its money-raising efforts for Familia with a $25,000 pledge on Wednesday, the group said.
“The tragic death of Officer Familia is another grim reminder of the dangers that the brave men and women of the NYPD face every day to keep us safe,” Answer the Call Board Chairman Stephen Dannhauser said in a statement.
“New Yorkers take care of their own and we pledge to never forget Officer Familia, her sacrifice, or her family.”
Tunnel to Towers, which was started in honor of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed on Sept. 11, accepts donations beginning at $10.
To donate to Answer the Call, visit http://www.answerthecall.org/.
To donate to Tunnel to Towers, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/donate/project/familia/tunnel2towers/0.
