By Charlie Miller
syracuse.com
GEDDES, N.Y. — A longtime vendor at the New York State Fair has set aside a table in the Colonnade for the two law enforcement officers gunned down in April, and on Monday will raise money for their families.
Tommy C’s set the table this morning in honor of Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen. The two were killed April 14 in a shootout by a man with a semiautomatic assault rifle.
Tom Centore, the owner of the stand, prepared the tribute for Law Enforcement Day at the Fair on Monday. The Meier’s Creek Brewing Co. created a special label to wrap around its Floatin’ On By pilsner.
“Those two officers would be here enjoying some great Fair food and sipping a beer if they hadn’t been murdered that day,” Centore said. “This is the least we can do in their honor.”
Centore and Meier’s Creek is donating $1 to the Police Benevolent Association Foundation for every 16-ounce can sold on Monday. The PBA, in turn, will give the proceeds to the officers’ families.
Tommy C’s is the first food and drink stand located on the righthand side once you pass the wine slushie vendors by Chevy Court. The stand will also have live music from 4 to 6 p.m. and food specials throughout the day at the stand. They will be selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts, with $5 for each dozen sold going to the family’s foundation.
While the promotion doesn’t start until Monday, fairgoers have already been stopping by to take pictures of the tribute. Many already bought the $8 beers to take home.
On Monday, active and retired law enforcement personnel and corrections officers can get into the Fair for free. A ceremony to honor fallen officers begins at noon at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Horticulture Building.
The Law Enforcement Parade steps off from the back of the Exposition Center at 6 p.m. and moves counterclockwise following the perimeter of the building down Broadway, around Cayuga Avenue and back to Iroquois.
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