Fundraisers for Slain NYPD Officer Exceed $250,000

Two fundraising efforts for the family of NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who was tragically killed during a mass shooting in midtown Manhattan this week, have raised over $250,000 combined.

The first fundraiser, established through Fundthefirst.com, collected $195,561 by 8:30 PM on Wednesday, aimed at supporting the officer’s family, including his two young sons.

Organizers wrote, “Didarul Islam was more than just a police officer. He was a devoted father, a loving husband, and a brother to many, both here and in Bangladesh.” They expressed profound loss, stating, “We lost not only our brother, but part of our hearts.”

The second campaign, initiated by Tom Grech of GoFundMe’s Queens Chamber of Commerce, reached $56,641 by the same time, with all proceeds going to Islam’s grieving family.

Islam’s wife is expecting their third child next month. He was on security duty at 6:30 PM at 345 Park Ave. when Shane Tamura, a security guard from Las Vegas, launched an attack with an AR-15-style rifle. This occurred after Tamura expressed dissatisfaction with the NFL, which has its headquarters in the building.

According to police reports, Tamura killed four people, including Aland Etienne, a security guard and four-year NYPD veteran, and Wesley Lepatner, an executive at Blackstone, in the lobby before proceeding to the elevators.

On the 33rd floor, he continued his rampage, shooting and killing Julia Heyman, part of Rudin’s management team. Police Chief Jessica Tisch noted that Tamura had claimed a brain injury from high school football as a contributing factor to his actions, although he ended up at the wrong elevator bank and did not reach the NFL office.

“Didarul Islam was a hero from the moment he donned our uniform,” stated NYPD Police Charity Association president Patrick Hendry. “When pure evil confronted him, he stood between it and innocent people.” Hendry encouraged New Yorkers to remember him as the hero he was.