Scam Surfaces After Officer’s Death

Someone tried to exploit the death of Officer Howard E. Dallies Jr. less than a day after the patrolman was shot down, police said.

A “scam artist” telephoned at least one Garden Grove resident seeking donations for a bogus memorial fund, police said.

“It’s unbelievable that someone would try to pull something like this,” Police Lt. John Woods said. “It’s unforgivable for someone to stoop to this level.”

Telephone solicitations in Dallies’ name are not legitimate, police said. Anyone who receives such a call should immediately report it to police, Sgt. George Jaramillo said.

Police were informed of the solicitation Tuesday night by a resident who had just been contacted by a man seeking donations, Woods said. Police received no other reports of soliciting and are not sure how many other residents--if any--were contacted.

The solicitor told the resident that he was collecting money for a Dallies “memorial fund” and offered to personally pick up donations, Jaramillo said. The resident refused to make a donation.

Police believe that the solicitor got the idea for the scam after watching television news reports about the establishment of an official fund for Dallies’ family by the Garden Grove Police Officers Assn., Woods said. The association has also set up a reward fund.

“Here are people who are trying to do something for the family of the officer and we have the dregs of society out there capitalizing for personal gain,” Jaramillo said. “They’re out there scamming away.”

The public can contribute to the Dallies’ fund by mailing a donation to the Garden Grove Police Department or visiting the station. Garden Grove police never use phone solicitations to get donations, Jaramillo added.