About Memorial Scholarships

About the Fallen Officers Memorial Scholarships

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship at BCC (perpetual)

Part of the BCC Endowment Fund, this scholarship is funded in part by a $15000 gift from the former Giunta Memorial Trust Fund. Awarded each year to a Criminal Justice Student with a B (3.0 GPA) average or better*. First announcement in August 1996. Amount of award is dependent on endowment earnings. Selection is made by the BCC staff. Applications are available via BCC February 1 to May 1.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship – Officer in Continuing Ed (annual)

This award is funded annually with a gift from the Memorial Trust Fund, as funds allow. Awarded to (up to) two active Fall River Police Department officers in continuing education, with 3.0 GPA, at accredited college level*. First announcement in August 1996. Amount of award is $1000. Selection is made by independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at FRPD February 1 to May 1.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial College Scholarship for High School Seniors (perpetual)

Funded and established by the Memorial Trust Committee with an initial base of $25000. Awarded each year to three graduating Fall River high school seniors, with a 3.0 GPA, who are continuing to accredited colleges*. First announcement in August 1998. Amount of each award is $1000. Candidates’ names forwarded to Committee via (Fall River) high schools. Selections made by independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at High School Guidance Departments February 1 to May 1.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial College Scholarship for Children of FRPD – (perpetual)

Established in 2012, this scholarship is awarded annually to an FRPD employee’s high school senior child (or grandchild) ** who meets the 3.0 GPA requirement and is continuing to an accredited college of his/her choice*. Amount of the award is $1000. Selection is made by the independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at FRPD from February 1 to May 1.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship in memory of Officer John W. Ruggeiro (perpetual)

Established in 2012 with funds from the Giunta and Magan Memorial Trusts, and a gift from the former Ruggiero Scholarship, this award is made to a Fall River high school senior, maintaining a 3.0 GPA, who is continuing to an accredited college*. The amount of the award is $1000. Selection is made by the independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at High School Guidance Departments, February 1to May 1.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship in memory of Constable Gideon Manchester (perpetual)

Established in 2012, this $1000 award will be made to a Fall River high school senior maintaining a 3.0 GPA who is continuing to an accredited college*. Selection will be made by the independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at High School Guidance Departments, February 1 to May 1.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship in memory of Officer Louis T. Gormley (perpetual)

Detective Richard G. Magan Memorial College Scholarship for High School Seniors (perpetual)

Funded and established by the Memorial Trust Committee with an initial base of $25000. Awarded each year to three graduating Fall River high school seniors, with a 3.0 GPA, who are continuing to accredited colleges*. First announcement in August 2002. Amount of each award is $1000. Candidates’ names forwarded to Committee via (Fall River) high schools. Selections made by independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at High School Guidance Departments February 1 to May 1.

The Detective Richard G. Magan Memorial Scholarship For Children/Grandchildren of Fall River Police Employees (perpetual)

Awarded each year to child or grandchild of an active, retired, or deceased-while-active Fall River Police Department employee**. Applicant must be a high school senior, or first or second year college student, with a 3.0 GPA or better.* Applicant is required to submit a 500-word essay and to demonstrate participation in school and community affairs. First announcement made in August 2002. Current value is $1000.00 annually. The independent Scholarship Selection Panel selects the winning candidate from among the qualified applicants. Applications are available at the Fall River Police Department from February 1 to May 1.

The Fallen Officers Memorial Scholarship In memory of the late Rev. Dr. Robert P. Lawrence (perpetual)

Established in 2019, this $1000 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior with a 3.0 GPA or better who is continuing on to an accredited college. Applicant is required to submit a 500-word essay and to demonstrate participation in school and community affairs. The independent Scholarship Selection Panel selects the winning candidate from qualified applicants. Applications are available from high school guidance departments from February 1 to May 1.

*Other criteria may apply – see up-to-date application for details.

** Child/grandchild is defined as the biological, adopted, or legal stepchild/grandchild of a Fall River Police Officer, Auxiliary Police Officer, or civilian member. Preference in scholarships awards is given to incoming college freshman but may be awarded to other eligible (college student) applicants if no incoming freshman meets the criteria. The Scholarship Selection Panel is independent of the Memorial Trust Committee and does not consult with the Committee in making its decision. The decision of the Scholarship Selection Panel is final.

It is the hope of the Memorial Trust Committee that, as the Memorial Fund continues to grow, more scholarship and charitable opportunities will benefit from this lasting and positive remembrance of our friends and colleagues. If you have an idea, please forward it to any of the Fallen Officers Memorial Committee members.

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