Baldwin Park softball tourney raises money for families of fallen NYPD officers 

Hempstead and Nassau County officials are trying to help families of two fallen NYPD officers by holding a fundraising softball tournament that is a battle of the badges.

The town, joined by Nassau County police and the NYPD, will host a fundraiser Saturday at Baldwin Park for the families of NYPD Officers Jason Rivera, 27 and Wilbert Mora, 22, who were killed in January in a shootout while responding to a domestic dispute at an apartment in Harlem.

Hempstead town officials, joined by Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, said Wednesday's tournament funds will go toward the Law Enforcement Weekend organization, which provides a weekend of relaxation for the slain officers' families.

“Law Enforcement is so valuable, giving back to those who have given so much to you,” Ryder said. “Remember Officer Mora and Officer Rivera’s families. They don’t get to enjoy what we all get to enjoy as this summer comes out, so let’s make it a nice day for them.”

The organization has helped more than 42 families in 14 states and funding will help send the Mora and Rivera families attend a getaway to Miami in October. The opening ceremony will also include giving the families teddy bears made out of the officers’ uniforms by the nonprofit Blue Line Bears.

The softball tournament is free of charge, although donations are accepted, and open to the public. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with a game between the NYPD softball team and the UK Royal Air Force. Twelve other law enforcement softball teams will also square off.

 Organizers and town officials said they wanted to host the event and avoid having to negotiate the red tape of getting fields throughout New York City.

“What’s important about this event is we are playing home to heroes,” Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito said.

Phil Alvarez, whose brother Luis Alvarez of Oceanside died in 2019 from cancer related to Ground Zero after 9/11, said at a news conference Wednesday that he knows both the loss involved and the support organizers provide.

“I became part of a club I don’t wish on anyone, of line-of-duty families,” Alvarez said. “You quickly find out, when someone says they’ll never forget and always be there for you, who’s telling the truth. Nassau County and Hempstead have always remembered my brother.”

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.