LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood Blue- Claws will honor the memory of fallen Lakewood Police Officer Christopher Matlosz and host a fundraiser in his name on July 23 at that night’s 7:05 p.m. baseball game at FirstEnergy Park.
At the July 23 game, $3 from every ticket sold will go directly to Holding Onto Hope, a foundation established by Matlosz’s fiancé, KellyWalsifer.
Fans can buy a Lakewood police T-shirt or donate at concourse tables, again with proceeds going directly to Holding Onto Hope.
Matlosz, 27, was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 14.
“The death of Officer Matlosz was tragic and senseless,” BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown said. “The Blue- Claws are honored to be able to host this fundraiser in Officer Matlosz’s honor and we hope to raise a great deal of money in his memory.”
The night will include a pre-game ceremony to honor Matlosz, a flyover from the New Jersey State Police helicopter, and BlueClaws players will be wearing Lakewood Police Department hats during the game.
Matlosz was a 2000 graduate of Howell High School and received an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
He had been with the Lakewood Police Department since 2006 and had previously been employed by police departments in Freehold, Englishtown, Long Branch and Manasquan.
To order tickets to the July 23 game or to any other Lakewood BlueClaws game, call 732-901-7000, option 2, or order online at BlueClaws.com.