Police say scammers have called local residents attempting to raise money in memory of fallen firefighter Christopher Roy. (File photograph)
Merrimack Valley residents are advised to take caution when accepting calls for donations, as Haverhill Police say they’ve become aware of local scams exploiting the memory of late Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy.
Firefighter Christopher Roy. (Courtesy photograph)
As firefighters from across the nation—including several from Haverhill—prepare to lay their fallen brother to rest this weekend, police urge locals not to fall for fundraising scam telephone calls.
“We have received reports that several people have received calls from someone raising money from the “Volunteer Firefighter Fund” and claiming that they support the families of fallen firefighters. The Department unfortunately has to remind everyone to be aware of the depths that some will sink to in an effort to exploit the aftermath of a tragedy,” a Haverhill Police Department social media post read.
According to the Worcester Fire Department, a verified memorial fund has been established through the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union to support Roy’s 9-year-old daughter, Ava Roy. Checks made payable to the Ava Roy Fund may be mailed to 34 Glennie St., Worcester, MA 01605.
Thirty-six-year-old Roy was raising Ava as a single dad in Shrewsbury and the little girl was described as the “light of his life” in his obituary. Roy was killed in the line of duty Dec. 9 fighting a five-alarm fire in Worcester.