Memory of fallen Brooklyn NYPD detective kept alive in Xaverian scholarships
Volunteers for the fundraiser helped the evening go smoothly, according to co-organizers Penney Santo and Karen Macaluso. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Eagle Urban Media
DYKER HEIGHTS – A tradition that honors a fallen officer continues as the Detective Brian Moore Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser was held at Indigo Murphy’s, 7102 Fort Hamilton Parkway, on May 19.
Moore, 25, was an NYPD detective who was shot in the line of duty on May 2, 2015. He died two days later on March 4.
Volunteers for the fundraiser helped the evening go smoothly, according to co-organizers Penney Santo and Karen Macaluso. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Eagle Urban Media
The event honored Moore and supported the scholarship established in his name for incoming freshmen at Xaverian High School. It was co-organized by Elizabeth Penny Santo and Karen Macaluso, continuing a tradition started 11 years ago by Penney’s son Dominick, a Xaverian alum.
Following Moore’s death, he spoke with his parents and the assistant principal at Xaverian, where he was a junior and presented the idea of starting a scholarship in the slain officer’s memory.
The evening also honored local leaders who made a positive impact on youth, education and community service.
Volunteers for the fundraiser helped the evening go smoothly, according to co-organizers Penney Santo and Karen Macaluso. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Eagle Urban Media
“The last couple of years, Penny has been doing it online through online donations and people sending checks and whatnot, but this year, we decided to get together in person,” Macaluso said. “We had great volunteers. It was so nice to see these young men and women participate in this. I don’t think I saw one kid sit there on their phone last night.”
Honorees included Delores Pennachio, teaching assistant at St. Bernard Catholic Academy and community leader; Michael Wilson, assistant principal at Xaverian High School; Vincent Raimondo, assistant principal for staff development at Xaverian; and Father Michael Bruno, pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer.
Volunteers for the fundraiser helped the evening go smoothly, according to co-organizers Penney Santo and Karen Macaluso. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Eagle Urban Media
“It means a lot,” Santo said. “It’s also time that we come back like we did then to have respect for the NYPD. Even though we didn’t know Officer Moore, that doesn’t mean that we don’t respect his sacrifice and his hard work and his family’s sacrifice. His parents know about the scholarship. They’re aware of everything that goes on. You don’t have to know the officer or the person, but you have to respect them and know their sacrifice.”
A photo of Detective Brian Moore. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Eagle Urban Media
The scholarship has meant a lot to the recipients over the years. Macaluso’s son, Nico, currently a junior at Xaverian, was proud upon receiving the scholarship three years ago.
“When his name was called, and he got this scholarship, something just changed in him,” Macaluso said. “He felt so proud.”
The scholarship has helped incoming freshmen begin their journey at Xaverian High School with the support of the community.
During the event, proud mom Maria Ford shared that the recognition helped shape her daughter’s path toward medicine and humanitarian work.
“Her daughter, Ava, got the scholarship many years ago in the beginning [of the scholarship],” Santo said.
“Now, she’s in medical school, and she’s paying it forward by working with children and doing a lot of volunteering. Her mother said last night that if she wasn’t given the scholarship, she might not have made these choices to give back so much. She’s in medical school now, and she won’t forget.”
Plaques were given out to honorees from the event. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Eagle Urban Media
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