Syracuse, N.Y. -- Local and national businesses have created fundraisers for the families of the two officers killed during a shootout Sunday night in Salina.
Here are some of the ways to donate:
Locally, Elm Street Tacos, Upstate University Hospital and Bishop Grimes Jr. and Sr. High School will hold fundraisers for Syracuse police officer Michael E. Jensen and sheriff’s Lt. Michael Hoosock.
Upstate Fallen But Not Forgotten Fundraiser, is selling t-shirts through HolyShirt. The fundraiser will donate 100% of their net proceeds, on the part of Upstate University Hospital, for the families of both officers.
Barstool Sports creator Dave Portnoy also announced Tuesday that the company’s store will match 100% of it’s t-shirt sales — until the of day — for Lt. Michael Hoosock, who left behind a wife and 3 young children. The t-shirts are available for sale online.
The Bishop Grimes Alumni community with hold a fundraiser for Lt. Michael Hoosock at Ye Olde Clipper Tavern at 313 Sand St. at 4 p.m. Friday, May 3, in Syracuse. Food will be provided by the tavern and a percentage of sales will go to his family.
Elm Street Tacos donated 10% of their sales to the families “who never got to say I love you one last time,” according to their Facebook page. The food truck was at US Patriot Tuesday.
The Syracuse Police Benevolent Association and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office have endorsed this site for donations: Supporting the families of Lt. Michael Hoosock & Officer Michael Jensen. As of Tuesday afternoon, people had donated $171,328.
On Sunday, the trouble started with a traffic stop around 7 p.m. in the city’s Tipp Hill neighborhood, according to Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile. That’s when officers tried to pull over a car, but the driver refused and sped off.
Police took the plate number, which led them to a home on Darien Drive in Salina. There, police saw ammunition in the back of the car, Cecile said. And then, from inside the home, they heard the sound of a gun being readied to fire, he said.
Hoosock took cover behind a maple tree in the back yard of the neighboring house, according to Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley. The suspected killer, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, fired at Hoosock from the back deck of his house with a Springfield AR-15, a military-style assault weapon, killing him there, Shelley said.
Murphy ran to the front of the house and fired at Jensen, killing him. Murphy died after being fired upon by police officers at the scene.
Jensen, 29, joined the force about 2 1/2 years ago, officials said. He earned an officer of the month award four months ago. He is survived by his parents and a sister.
Hoosock, 37, of Clay, was a decorated 16-year veteran of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and a volunteer firefighter who served as a captain at the Moyers Corners Fire Department. He leaves a wife and three children, ages 3, 5 and 7.
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Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com