08/23/09: North Buffalo Fundraiser for Fallen Police Officer’s Family

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 08/23/09
The North Buffalo community rallies around the family of a fallen police officer. Officer José Colon was killed when his car was rear ended by an alleged drunk driver. Now, family and friends are drumming up support for Officer Colon’s family through this tough time.
“Life has been rough I mean we miss him greatly,” said Hector Colon reminiscing on his brother José.
Hector says life hasn’t been the same since José’s death. Now the family is trying to figure out how José’s18 year old son, José Colon Jr. will pay for his sophomore year at the University of Buffalo.
Officer Colon was a decorated 12 year veteran on the Buffalo Police Force, but his life ended July 24th when his car was struck by an alleged drunk driver in south buffalo.
The North Buffalo Community Center hosted a benefit to raise money for the family.
“His son right now is faced with a dilemma. He’s not sure he can continue school. His dad was paying for it. He wants to me a doctor. Education is something his father firmly believed in,” said fundraiser organizer Lisa DeCarlo. She worked with officer Colon and said he was a man who would do anything to help anyone. Now the law enforcement community is trying to do anything possible to help José Jr.
“He’s 18 year old. He’s had to make decisions that most 18 year olds are not faced with and this has really changed his life totally,” added Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson.
Colleagues say officer Colon’s life changed the minute he joined the police force. The 39 year old dedicated his life to serving others.
His family says Officer Colon excelled as an officer because he grew up on what once was a tough part of the lower west side. New homes now sit where the Lakeview Projects once stood. Colon’s brother Hector says living in the old projects made Jose a tough man with a big heart for his community.
“Lower west side, Lakeview projects. He grew up in the hood. That’s why everybody always wondered why he was such a phenomenal police officer. Because he grew up straight in the hood. And he wasn’t afraid of the hood. He would jump those fences and do an excellent job,” said Hector.