HERSHEY, Pa. — The gentle chorus of Amazing Grace echoed throughout the Giant Center on Saturday, as people remembered the lives of fallen heroes.
“Every time I hear it, I automatically cry because I think of when I had to bury my husband," said Marissa Fitzgerald, the wife of Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald of the Temple University Police, who was killed last February.
“We’re tired of our pipers playing line of duty death funerals, so that’s what the cause is for," said Patrick O'Rourke, founder of Cops for K.O.P.S.
The pipers kicked off the 19th Annual Cops for K.O.P.S Charity Hockey Game, which helps raise money for families of fallen police officers. The law enforcement community uses this game to rally behind those grieving their loved ones.
“I, myself, understand the feeling of looking out the window and hoping the next headlights coming down the street are going to be his [dad’s] when he’s coming back from a shift," said Zachary Evans, who came to the game with his dad. "It’s important that we honor those who didn’t get to make that return home.”
Police officers from across the state laced up the skates for the game representing the Philadelphia Police Department, Pittsburgh Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Troopers.
“They are the brothers of the fallen," said Jackie Henry, an organizer for Cops for K.O.P.S. "They are here to show their solidarity and support.”
“You get to have that comradery, you get to communicate with your brothers and sisters and get a bigger feel for the law enforcement community as a whole," said Robert Evans, who is a Pennsylvania State Capitol Police officer and former Cops for K.O.P.S hockey player.
For players on the ice and people in the stands, it’s more than just a game.
“This is a good opportunity to come out and show our boys and girls in blue that they are appreciated," said Evans.