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DARIEN, Conn. – Active and retired police officers and their families showed up Sunday to The Piedmont Association in Darien to respond to a 10-13.
“A 10-13 is officer down. It could be minor or it could be huge. Either way, it means get there soon,” said Darien Police Officer T.J. Garbera. And this 10-13 was a fundraiser for Stamford Police Officer Troy Strauser who was severely injured in May during a foot chase. Strauser fell 20 feet at exit 14 off I-95 and injured his face, arms and internal organs.
The concept of the fundraiser came about over drinks between fellow Darien officers. Officer T.J. Whyte said that Strauser is “good people” and that as police “you help each other out.”
Proceeds from donations, the $40 entrance fee and two separate raffles will go to Strauser to help pay medical bills and any other expenses that might show up. Whyte said that he hoped they would earn at least $3,000 on Sunday.
This isn’t the first time different police departments joined together to help a fellow officer in need. Lou Cavalcante, also of the Stamford Police Department, found himself needing a new heart, which landed him in the ICU for four months before a replacement was found on Dec. 4.
“I’m here to support him,” Cavalcante said. “I can’t do much, but I can do something.”
That was the overall theme from everyone who attended the fundraiser on Sunday. The Piedmont Association donated the premises to the fundraiser for the day, said Richard Sagnelli, the association president.
“Troy’s a great guy,” said retired Stamford Police Officer Steve Devito.
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