GRCC Police Academy Selling Memorial Shirts To Help Fund Campus Memorial

Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy is selling memorial t-shirts as part of a fundraiser to reach their goal of $17,000. The money will be used to create a memorial on campus which will pay tribute to graduates that paid the ultimate price.

Officer Bruce Popering of East Grand Rapids Public Safety graduated from the GRCC police academy in 1985. He was killed in 1994 after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic after 4th of July celebrations.

Officer Robert Kozminski of the Grand Rapids Police Department graduated from the GRCC police academy in 1999. Kozminski was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on the north east side in 2007.

Officer Eric Zapata of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety graduated in 1999. Zapata was shot and killed after responding to a shots fired call.

The front of the memorial shirt shows an American flag with the words, "A family born not from a blood line but bonded in life by a blue one." The back pays tribute to each officer who gave their life while serving the community.

Shirts are available in all sizes, cotton or Dri-Wick. Visit the GRCC Police Academy Facebook page for more information.