Hockey game between police and firefighters raises funds for injured firefighter

SUSQUEHANNA TWP, Pa. (WHTM) — The annual Dauphin County Police vs. Fire Hockey game raised money for one of their own this year. All proceeds from the event will go to Shawn Menear, a Middletown firefighter injured in January.

The firefighters won Saturday’s game by a landslide, 11-3. There was a lot of competitive spirit on the ice, but for both teams, helping someone else is more important than the game.

“Anyway, it’s a great day on the ice and it benefits, you know, another person,” Middletown Fire Chief Kenny Whitebread said.

Menear was injured in late January while fighting a house fire in Royalton. The second floor collapsed, trapping him inside.

“Between not working, medical bills, things like that, he has nothing to worry about,” Whitebread said of Saturday’s fundraiser.

Menear recently left a Philadelphia hospital for a rehabilitation center.

“We actually came down on Monday afternoon to visit him for a little while. He’s in good spirits,” Whitebread said.

Susan Menear, Menear’s mother, said: “He can’t wait to get home and try to get his life back on track. She also said, “He still needs physical therapy.”

Susan said she was overwhelmed with everyone’s support since her son’s injury.

“It’s just amazing that we have so many people behind us,” she said.

With all of the community fundraisers over the past two months, Whitebread said it raised over $50,000.

“We are the bad day fixers, and when we have a bad day, it’s great to see that we all come together and can help each other out,” he said.

It wasn’t just Menear’s memory present in Saturday’s game. Menear, a hockey fan himself, was able to watch it in real time on a live stream.

“He has a big smile on his face, so he’s happy,” his mother said.

Menear’s family said they expect doctors to let them know on Monday when they can expect Shawn to come home. They hope it will only take a few weeks.