Fundraiser gathers more than $500k for officer’s families

TULSA, Okla. — UPDATE: Wednesday’s fundraiser raised $515,960. This is a preliminary number. Donations are still coming in and you can still donate by texting “TPD” to 70123.

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FOX23 is working with its Cox Media Group Tulsa partners and the Tulsa Police Foundation for a fundraiser Wednesday to benefit the families of two police officers who were shot in late June.

Sgt. Craig Johnson died in the shooting and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan remains in the hospital.

The fundraiser is happening at LaFortune Park near 61st Street and South Yale from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 8 where officers from the Tulsa Police Department will be onsite to collect donations.

There will also be remote donation sites:

• Gilcrease Division – 3436 N. Delaware Ave.
• Riverside Division – 7515 Riverside Pkwy
• Mingo Valley Division – 10122 E. 11th St.
• They will also be able to staff the Golden Driller at Expo Square with officers all day

Donations should be made out to TPD Foundation.

Anyone looking to donate online can do so directly to the Tulsa Police Injured and Fallen Officers fund.

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin arrived early for the fundraiser and spoke to FOX23′s Michelle Linn about the cause.

Rep. Kevin Hern stopped by to talk about the fundraiser and his support for the fundraiser.

Mayor G.T. Bynum and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell came to the event to show their support too.

We talked to three officers who worked with both Johnson and Zarkeshan.

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Sign at the entrance to LaFortune Park July 8, 2020 - A sign thanking supporters of the Tulsa Police Department at the entrance to the parking lot at LaFortune Park. (FOX23)

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