Viejas Tribal Council presents donation to @SDPOA president Brian Marvel, Mayor Faulconer and Chief Zimmerman. pic.twitter.com/pS33frnnhQ
— Viejas Tribe (@Viejas_Tribe) August 29, 2016
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians on Monday donated $50,000 to the San Diego Police Officers Association's widows and orphans fund, which supports families of law enforcement personnel who lose their lives in service to the community.
In announcing the contribution, tribe Chairman Robert Welch Jr. alluded to the July 28 shooting that killed Officer Jonathan "J.D." De Guzman, a 16-year member of the San Diego Police Department, and seriously wounded his gang-unit partner, Officer Wade Irwin.
"Too often, the brave men and women that provide for our protection are senselessly killed in the line of duty," Welch said during a news conference in front of San Diego Police Department's downtown headquarters. "For this, we are saddened, and we are grateful for their service and for their sacrifice."
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer thanked the tribe's leadership for the "very generous" monetary gift to the police association.
"These, of course, are dollars that we hope we never have to use," Faulconer said. "When a police officer's life is cut short, this donation is one way we can make sure the family (gets) additional support."
