Melbourne Officers Receive Scholarship Awards

By  //  September 12, 2013

in honor of Officer Joseph S. Pellicano

MELBOURNE_Police_595
ABOVE: From left to right – Ron Ward, Families of the Shield; Marion Pellicano-Ambrose, Families of the Shield; Robert Palumbo, Melbourne Police Foundation; Ema O’Brien, Families of the Shield; David Volk, Melbourne Police Foundation; Wendy Gough, Families of the Shield; Natasha Pasko, Families of the Shield; Mitch Evander, Melbourne Police Foundation; John Pasko, Families of the Shield; Officer Kristin Caselli, Officer Ryan Nicholas Clark, Officer David Ross, Officer Ricardo Garcia and Chief Steve Mimbs. ( Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Families of the Shield, Inc., working in a collaborative effort with the Melbourne Police Foundation have awarded the Melbourne Police Department’s four newest officers with scholarships.

Scholarships were award to Officer Ricardo Garcia ($3,100.00), Officer Kristin Caselli ($3,100.00), Officer David Ross ($350.00) and Officer Ryan Nicholas Clark ($350.00).

Officer Joseph S. Pellicano
Officer Joseph S. Pellicano

These scholarships, which are designed to assist the new officers as they begin their new careers, were named in the honor of Officer Joseph S. Pellicano, a Melbourne Officer who was struck and killed by a vehicle as he directed traffic at a house fire in 1986.

The fire was later determined to be the result of arson. Officer Pellicano’s wife at the time of his death, Marion (Pellicano) Ambrose, was present at today’s award service.

John A. Pasko
John A. Pasko

“These scholarships are awarded to these officers to help offset the financial burden they encounter while seeking to fulfill their dreams of becoming Melbourne police officers,” said Founder and Chairman of Families of the Shield, Inc., John A. Pasko.

“The greatest reward is to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for others. These scholarships help keep Joe’s name and his sacrifice alive in the hearts of our newest officers; some of which may not have even been born when Joe died.”

9-11 APPROPRIATE DAY TO RECOGNIZE NEW OFFICERS

Pasko went on to say that September 11 was an appropriate day to recognize these new officers.

Families of the Shield, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2009 to garner support and raise public awareness for police officers killed or injured in the line of duty and meet the needs of their family members.
Families of the Shield, Inc., was established to support and raise public awareness for police officers killed or injured in the line of duty and meet the needs of their family members.

“Today is a day that reminds people of the sacrifices police officers make,” said Pasko.

The Melbourne Police Foundation was established in 2006 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the services and programs of the Melbourne Police Department.

The foundation consists of local business owners and professionals. Families of the Shield, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2009 to garner support and raise public awareness for police officers killed or injured in the line of duty and meet the needs of their family members.