Area Police Raising Funds For Pine Beach Officer And His Family

BEACHWOOD, NJ - Pine Beach Police K9 Officer Russell Okinsky and his family officer lost a beloved dog and most of their belongings when their Ship Avenue home caught on fire early Saturday morning.

His fellow officers from the Beachwood/Pine Beach PBA are asking for both monetary and non-monetary donations to replace what the family has lost.

Checks and money orders can be made out to "PBA 253" with a notation in the memo "Officer Okinsky". The checks and money orders can be mailed to the PBA at P.O. Box 253 Beachwood, New Jersey 08722.

Any non-monetary donations for the family can be dropped off at the Beachwood First Aid Squad, 4 Beachwood Boulevard, Beachwood, the fire station and any of the emergency service tables at the upcoming Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 25.

A gofundme.com page has also been established to help the recover. So far, $1,20 has been raised to meet a $20,000 goal. If you would like to donate, click here.

The K-9 Valor Task Force has also set up a donations area on their Facebook page for the Okinsky Family.

A PBA Local 253 thanks you for all of your support and requests that you keep the Okinsky family in your thoughts during this tough time.

Photo: Courtesy of gofundme.com, a Patch promotional partner