This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Pens Help Police Raise Money to Support Survivor with Special Needs

Police officers from across the region will be at the Penguins-Hurricanes game on Tuesday night to collect donations to support the autistic son of fallen police officer John 'David' Dryer.

'Tis the season for giving, and sports fans attending the Dec. 27 Pittsburgh Penguins game at CONSOL Energy Center can do just that.

The Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation (WPPBF) has joined forces with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation to conduct a collection before the Pens face off against the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

From 5 to 8 p.m., police from Washington, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Beaver counties will be stationed inside CONSOL's gates, collecting donations to the David Dryer Memorial Fund.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The fund was set up to support the 17-year-old autistic son of patrol Officer John “David” Dryer of the East Washington Police Department, who died in medical transit on Dec. 19 after he was shot and mortally wounded during a traffic stop the night before.

Dryer's partner, Officer Robert Caldwell, was also shot and injured by the same offender. He is currently recovering from serious injury to his right “gun” hand.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tuesday night's collection marks the second time that te WPPBF has partnered with the Penguins Foundation to raise money for a fallen officer. The first collection took place in October to benefit the family of murdered police officer Derek Kotecki.

Fans dropped approximately $23,000 into the WPPBF's buckets in support of Kotecki's family, and WPPBF Secretary Andrew Volchko hopes that they'll show similar support for Dryer's surviving son.

In addition to teaming up with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation for Tuesday's fundraiser, the WPPBF has also teamed up with the Autism Center of Pittsburgh (ACP), representatives of which will join officers in their collection efforts.

ACP reps will also be on hand to answer any questions that fans may have about autism and how their donations will help with care for Dryer's son, Benjamin.

The ACP has further backed the cause by including information on the David Dryer Memorial Fund in its correspondence.

Volchko explained the added benefit of this move:

“Maybe there are some people out there who aren't moved by the fact that we're talking about a fallen officer,” he said. “But they may be moved by the fact that he left behind an autistic son, and that might motivate them to donate.

“No matter why they're donating, it's all about one thing—making sure that this man's son gets the longterm help and financial support he needs.”

If you aren't going to the Pens game on Tuesday but want to donate to the David Dryer Memorial Fund anyway, you can do so in person by stopping into any Washington Financial Bank or by sending your donation via postal mail to:

  • Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation, P.O. Box 444, South Park, PA 15129, or
  • Washington Financial Bank, 3616 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

Please be sure to indicate “David Dryer Memorial Fund” on your check or money order.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.