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Central New York Community Rallies for Paint the Zoo Blue Event Central New York Community Rallies for Paint the Zoo Blue Event

By Madison Hricik

Paint the Zoo Blue
© 2024 Madison Hricik

Reporter: Salina resident Mike Kerxhalli Sally brought his five-year old daughter to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo Sunday evening. He wore a navy t shirt with Officer Michael Jensen and Lieutenant Michael Hoosocks’ names written on the back, so do many others. On a night honoring the two fallen officers, Kerxhalli says his family had to be at this event.

Mike Kerxhalli: You know, the pun to something like this was really a no brainer.

Reporter: The Paint the Zoo Blue fundraiser is the third event Syracuse police and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department have created to support the Jensen and who sock families. Roughly 1500 people came and all proceeds went to the families. One of the event coordinators, Tim Richards says that seeing so many people show up is a reminder that the community hasn’t forgotten about Jensen and Hoosock.

Richards: The community is here. They still care, and we’re not going to just forget about this and move on.

Reporter: Richard says Sunday was about being uplifting, making the zoo the perfect place to remember the fallen officers, Madison hricik, NCC, news.

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — It’s been almost four months since two Central New York officers were killed in line of duty. Yet, on August 4, 1,500 people were gathered to help raise funds for the surviving families.

Officer Michael Jensen and Lieutenant Michael Hoosock were killed while responding to a call in Salina. Since then, the Syracuse Police Department and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office have been asked how the community can help.

“I think it’s somewhat therapeutic for all of us,” Officer Laura Collins said. “To continue to honor them, honor their lives.”

The two departments created the Paint the Zoo Blue event. A fundraiser at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo that allowed for families to come together, while honoring the memory of the two fallen officers.

Collins was one of the members who helped create the event, along with Tim Richards.

“It’s just been a  really big group effort,” Richards said. “And I’m just really happy to be involved.”

Police officers and first responders across Central New York were all attending the event, dawning navy or blue t-shirts to match the theme.

But supporting the families, and reminding them Central New York is supporting them, was key to the event’s success.

“I think it’s important they realize the community hasn’t forgotten them,” Richards said.

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