First responders hockey tournament supports families of fallen heroes

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Eight teams of first responders from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Toledo and Columbus are competing in the Cleveland Fire Fighters Hockey Fest, a fundraiser in collaboration with the Hockey Helping Heroes Initiative.

A portion of proceeds raised through ticket sales at the Cleveland Monsters game goes to the campaign.

The event honors the memory of three late firefighters from Ohio: Michael M. Richardson of Euclid Fire Local 337, James M. Pero of Mentor Fire Local 1845, and Richard D. Richardson of Columbus Fire Local 67.

Pero’s widow Helen said this event means the world to her.

“It’s amazing,” Helen said. “It just feels like there’s such a brotherhood here and that everyone’s joining together. Just doesn’t surprise me about the firemen and even the police officers that are out there right now. Law enforcement sticks together, and you can’t words don’t express how much it means.”

Jake Konys is the Secretary for the Association of Cleveland Fire Fighters Local 93. He’s one of the organizers for the event locally, something he takes great pride in because supporting the families of the fallen is crucial.

“They say we’re a family on the fire department, in the public safety service, and that’s really what we are,” Konys said. “We’ve got family, friends all out here watching us today. Hockey is just one way that we’re able to bring each other together, have a good time, but also, most importantly, raise awareness for those that we’ve lost and help their families.”

The fundraiser helps pay for the travel of the family members to go to Colorado Springs, Colorado in September to attend the IAFF Fallen Memorial where their late-loved ones will have their names added to the wall.

“So humbling and overwhelming,” Richardson’s widow Patti Richardson said. “I know it’s going to be a beautiful event. So honored to participate. Participate in it and have my family participate as well.”

All three fallen heroes died from different forms of cancer after long careers. Helen said she wants to see new legislation and more preventative care from occupational hazards to prevent others from dying from delayed illnesses.

“If one family can be helped it’s worth it,” Helen said. “I don’t want any of these families to ever have to deal with this ever. It’s just a loss that’s unbearable.”

If you would like to donate directly to the First Responder Faceoff, click here.