Typically, Lieutenants Betler, Lemley, Weaver, Post and Purkey can be found overseeing their shifts at Bridgeport Police Department.

 

Sunday, May 3, they will be posted at the kitchen of the Benedum Civic Center, whipping up a quality spaghetti dinner to share with the community.

 

The occasion is the Derek Hotsinpiller Memorial Scholarship Fund Spaghetti Dinner, an opportunity to raise money for the scholarship which helps area young people pursue careers in law enforcement fields and honors the late James Hotsinpiller and his son, Derek Hotsinpiller. A U.S. Deputy Marshal, Derek Hotsinpiller was fatally shot in 2012 while serving a warrant. His dad, Jim, died in 2001 during his tenure as a lieutenant with the Bridgeport Police Department. Son Dustin was also a former member of the department. He now serves as a Deputy U.S. Marshal.

 

Following the death of the younger Hotsinpiller, his mom Pam and brother Dustin established the Lt. James W. Hotsinpiller Jr. and Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller Memorial Scholarship Fund. A number of local students have pursued and received the scholarship.   

Bridgeport Police Department has always supported the scholarship, said Deputy Police Chief Randy Hartley.

 

“We feel strongly about what Pam and Dustin are trying to do – to help put as many police officers on the street as possible and we want to do anything we can to support their efforts,” he said. “Jim was our boss when he passed and several of us worked with Dustin. Even though he’s now with the U.S. Marshals service, he’ll always be a member of our department.”

 

Although the department regularly contributes to the scholarship efforts, this is the first time a spaghetti dinner has been organized.  Since Italian cuisine is an area favorite, it seemed like a good idea. Not only that, but the department has somewhat of an expert in the field.

 

“Our head cook and man in charge is Brian Purkey,” Hartley said. “He’s an excellent cook and he’s done a few of these spaghetti dinner fundraisers for baseball in Taylor County. He’ll be the main guy in charge of the function and several of us will be assisting with the preparation of the food, including myself and Chief (John) Walker.”

 

Meals include spaghetti, salad, drink and dessert. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for kids age 10 and under. Dinners will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Bridgeport Police Department.

 

“We have received support from the community and we certainly appreciate and will accept any donations,” Hartley said. “One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the foundation and the scholarship. We want to raise as much as we can to support this good cause.” 

 

Read more about the the foundation, the scholarship and its recipients HERE.