By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
Good Shepherd Church in the Portland neighborhood raised close to $11,000, at its last fish fry of the Lenten season for the family of police officer Nicholas Rodman.
Rodman, who used to patrol the Portland neighborhood, died March 29, a day after he was injured in a violent crash that occurred as he pursued a suspect.
Father John Burke, pastor of Good Shepherd, said during an interview April 20 that the community’s response to the benefit fish fry, April 7, was “unbelievable.”
“In the aftermath of a tragedy like this, people feel powerless,” said Father Burke. “But they also care deeply.”
Shortly after Rodman died, a parishioner asked if the fish fry could be used as a fundraiser to benefit the family, said Father Burke. He agreed, he said, thinking that “it’s not going to be much, but it’s something.”
“The response was unbelievable. It succeeded far beyond my hopes and expectations,” he said.
During a fish fry, Good Shepherd usually makes about $330 on its cake wheel, said Father Burke. But on April 7, the cake wheel yielded $1,313.
The fish sale would usually make about $2,200 on a good day, he said. On the day of the fundraiser, the parish made $5,834 on the fish sale. Donation jars were also put out during the event and those collected $4,269.
After expenses, Father Burke, said the parish will be able to donate $10, 738 to the Rodman family. “We’re not going to take away the pain,” he said. But outpouring of support for the family showed just how much the people care.
“We’re very appreciative of the work of the police in Portland and are very saddened by this tragedy,” said Father Burke.
Parishioners have told him they feel “frustrated” by violence and crime in the community and believe the Portland neighborhood “is better than this.”
Father Burke added that some police officers have expressed their gratitude for what the parish is doing for the Rodman family.
“The death of Officer Rodman was a tragic event that I hope and pray will never happen again,” said Father Burke. “However, the response of Good Shepherd Parish and the outpouring of support from the Portland community is a vivid reminder that good can come from evil, that life can come from death and that we are at our best when we work together to help one another.”
