Organizations raise funds for families of those killed in Jersey City shootout

Organizations are stepping up to help those impacted by the fatal shootings in Jersey City.

News 12 Staff

Dec 13, 2019, 4:59 PM

Updated 1,618 days ago

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Organizations are stepping up to help those impacted by the fatal shootings in Jersey City.
A total of four people, including a police detective, were killed when Francine Graham and David Anderson opened fire inside the JC Kosher Supermarket Tuesday
The Stephen Siller Tunnel2Towers Foundation is going to pay off Detective Joseph Seals’ mortgage on their home after he was shot and killed Tuesday in the line of duty in Jersey City.
The founder of the organization, Siller's brother Frank, made the announcement Friday that they will cover the Seals family's mortgage -- and moving forward -- the mortgage of any family of an officer killed in the line of duty nationwide.
Seals' cousin, Justin, spoke on behalf of the family, which includes Seals' wife Laura, and his five kids.
"No amount of money will bring Joey back, but to lift the burden of their mortgage off Laura so she can grieve and raise her children means more to the family than anyone will ever know," says Justin.
"Five kids, five kids he leaves behind," says Frank. "But they'll have the house, one less thing to worry about -- and this is the sacrifice Joseph did."
News 12 asked Justin about his cousin, Joseph, and he described him as the prankster who loved doing what he did -- saying being a police officer was his calling.
Many in the law enforcement community say the same about Detective Seals -- he was the type of officer others looked up to and learn from.
The foundation promised to pay that mortgage by Christmas.
Stephen Siller was a firefighter killed during 9/11 after running through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel toward the World Trade Center in full gear.
Jersey City's Hasidic community and leaders of the city's police unions met on Friday.
"We're all one community--all suffering the loss now," said Lt. Robert Kearns of the Jersey City Police Superior Officer's Association. "Everyone comes together under these circumstances and wanted both communities to know we are really all one."
The Jersey City PBA and the Superior Officers Union also donated $1,800 to each of the three families who lost someone in the targeted shooting.
If you’d like to learn more about Tunnels2Towers, or donate, click here.
Watch the entire press conference
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WATCH: Authorities hold news conference on Jersey City shooting

WATCH: Gov. Murphy thanks police for response during Jersey City shootout
WATCH: Mayor Fulop: No question Jersey City shooting was a hate crime


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