GoFundMe For Niece And Nephew Of Deceased BPD Officer Hits $291K

CANTON, MA - A fundraiser started by a Canton man to aid the niece and nephew of deceased Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, who died under suspicious circumstnaces during last month's blizzard, has raised more than $291,000 as of Wednesday.

Sean Hickey started a GoFundMe page to assist O'Keefe's niece and nephew, Kayley and Patrick Furbush, for their future endeavors. O'Keefe became the guardian of the children when their parents, Kristen and Stephen Furbush, died in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Hickey referred press requests to Boston Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Det. John T. Boyle. Boyle released the following statement on behalf of the family:

"John was not only a dedicated police officer, he was an exemplary guardian, son, brother, uncle and friend and we were so fortunate to have him as a part of our lives," it stated. "When John’s sister passed away, and then her husband did as well a short time later, John welcomed the opportunity to raise his beloved niece and nephew and build a home and a life around their needs.

"People talk about someone who would give you the shirt off their back but that was truly who John was, and it is heartbreaking for us to suddenly be talking about him in the past tense," the statement continued. "We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received but we ask for privacy at this time, and will have nothing further to say, as we mourn this unbearable loss."

O'Keefe's girlfriend, Karen A. Read, of Mansfield, pleaded not guilty in Stoughton District Court last week to several charges, including manslaughter. She was released on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 3.