A charity created in the wake of 9/11 will take over the mortgage payments for the families of slain Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, it was announced Tuesday.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation — which supports “first responders” — will immediately begin funding both families’ remaining mortgage payments, the group said in a statement.
“When my brother Stephen died on 9/11 along with 342 other firefighters, our family decided that the best way to honor his memory was by supporting first responders,” said Frank Siller, CEO of the foundation.
“This — and the fact that for the last several years, Tunnel to Towers has been building ‘smart homes’ for those catastrophically injured in war — makes it fitting that in recognition of the sacrifice of these fallen officers, we ensure that their family homes are financially secure,” he said.
Rafael Ramos, left, and Wenjian Liu.Getty ImagesThe foundation works in memory of Staten Island dad Stephen Siller, who died while rescuing people from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Fairway Market said it also has started a fund for the cops’ families, kicking in $25,000 and asking customers to donate at least $1 each.
The Silver Shield Foundation has set aside $40,000 for Ramos’ two sons’ education, too, while Bowdoin College in Maine said it is waiving the tuition for the elder boy, who is a student there.
Liu did not have any children.
