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Fundraiser takes place for fallen Phoenix Police officer Paul Rutherford

Published  March 25, 2019 9:42pm MST
Matt Galka's Reports
FOX 10 Phoenix

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - Fellow law enforcement and supporters are holding a fundraiser all day Monday in honor of fallen Phoenix Police Officer Paul Rutherford.

Rutherford was killed last Thursday after being hit by an SUV while investigating a crash. He was near retirement and leaves behind a wife and two children.

"We always say it always happens to the best, in this case, I mean that literally," said friend James Holmes. "The guy was a greater friend than he was a cop, a greater family man than he was a friend, and greater police officer than all of that."

"He believed in helping everybody, not only the community but other new officers," said Britt London, President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. "If Paul knew something and he knew how to do it, he'd show you how to do it and not just tell you."

PLEA Charities wants to help Rutherford's family with ongoing financial needs and will be holding a fundraiser Monday starting at 8:00 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast and then volunteers will grill for lunch and dinner all the way until 11 p.m. Monday.

This will all take place at the PLEA office near 11th Avenue and Adams Street. They will be accepting cash, debit, and credit card donations onsite.

If anyone who can't attend the fundraiser wants to help, you can make a donation at pleacharities.org. Just mention you want the funds to go to the Rutherford family in the notes.

Meanwhile, plans for Officer Rutherford's visitation and funeral have been finalized. Visitations will take place on Wednesday, March 27, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on 13720 W. Thomas Road in Avondale, followed by a mass that starts at 3:30 p.m., and scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m. on the same day.

Funeral service for Officer Rutherford is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Christ's Church of the Valley at 7007 W. Happy Valley Road in Peoria, followed by a procession to the Phoenix Memorial Park and Cemetery at 200 W. Beardsley Road in Phoenix.