‘This game means everything to us’: RFA lacrosse raises over $1,000 for Officer Michael Jensen Scholarship Fund

ROME, NY (WSYR-TV) — The Black Knights taking on the Golden Knights on the lacrosse field at the Rome Free Academy Stadium. But this wasn’t your average regular season game.

A game with a higher purpose, as Rome dedicated the afternoon to the fallen Syracuse police officer, killed in an ambush one month ago tonight.

When Rome Free Academy’s star attacker Carmen Orton took the field Tuesday afternoon, he had one goal: Win it for officer Michael Jensen.

“This game means everything to us,” Orton said. “When you have someone from your hometown have something tragic like that happens, you want to do everything you can for them. He’s a really big hero for all of us.”

The fallen hero played on this same field, over ten years ago.

Fallen Heroes

• WATCH: Ceremony for Lt. Michael Hoosock
• ‘This game means everything to us’: RFA lacrosse raises over $1,000 for Officer Michael Jensen Scholarship Fund
• State Attorney General’s Office investigates death of man who killed police officers
• Within hours of Jensen’s death, retired cop began the process to add name to Syracuse’s fallen officer wall
• WATCH: Ceremony to honor fallen Syracuse Police officers

“Some players knew of him. Like their brothers that played years ago,” said RFA head coach Kiel Adams. “And they’re like hey we’re going to do it for him today. We’re going to do it.”

The team also hosted a bake sale with all the money raised going to the Michael Jensen Scholarship Fund.

Jensen’s family had a message for the community.

“They love seeing this happen,” said Danielle Fiorini, the fundraiser organizer. “They were so grateful and heartfelt that we were putting this event together, so I think it makes them happy.”

A day for Rome to show their appreciation towards law enforcement.

“My family is really big in law enforcement so doing something like this is great because these guys do everything for us,” said Orton.

“We strive to show them we appreciate everything they do which perhaps we don’t do all the time. But we appreciate everything they do and the danger they put themselves in,” said Fiorini.

And the Black Nights got the job done with a big 20 to 4 win.

Rome Free Academy raised over $1,000 and their opponent Holland Patent donated $100 as well.

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