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City OKs $5,000 for Sollman Funeral: One Councilman Says Easton Should Have Paid Full Cost of Laying Police Officer to Rest.

Posted on: Friday, 26 May 2006, 21:00 CDT

By William J. Ford, The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.

May 25--Fourteen months after Easton police officer Jesse Sollman was fatally shot in the police station, City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday night to contribute $5,000 toward his funeral expenses that total nearly $20,000.

"Now I hope Jesse Sollman can rest in peace," said Councilwoman Carole Heffley, who voted to allot the money.

Council President Sandra Vulcano and council members Pam Panto and Ken Brown also voted with Heffley.

But Councilman Dan Corpora said after the two-hour meeting the city should pay for the entire expense.

"Jesse did everything for this city," Corpora said. "For me, it was just the right thing to do."

Police union President Dominick Marraccini called for Heffley's resignation as liason to public safety and for council to appoint Corpora.

"I also hope that all of the citizens who were in favor of paying the full expense of Jesse's funeral take your unconscionable behavior into account come election time," Marraccini said.

Council's vote stems from a recommendation made in July 2005 by Mayor Phil Mitman's administration to pay a one-time funeral expense.

On April 26, council didn't vote on a proposed resolution to give $5,000 toward the expenses and agreed to discuss the matter in more detail.

The total bill is nearly $15,928, but the Fraternal Order of Police Washington Lodge 17 requested the city pay the entire bill and for Sollman's headstone, increasing the total to nearly $20,000.

Sollman, 36, was accidentally shot in March 2005 by fellow officer Matthew Renninger in a gun-cleaning room on the second floor of police headquarters.

A state grand jury recommended Renninger not be charged because his actions were "unintentional and without malice." Mayor Phil Mitman said two weeks ago at a council meeting. Renninger, 36, has retired.

Attorney John P. Karoly Jr. of South Whitehall Township, representing the Sollman family, plans to file a lawsuit against Renninger and the city.

On Wednesday, police union Vice President Charles McMonigle read a letter from Sollman's wife, Carin, expressing her disappointment with council's decision.

The letter, however, doesn't have Sollman's signature or address. She was not present Wednesday and could not be reached for comment after the meeting.

"I will not accept your $5,000," McMonigle said in the letter. "It dishonors Jesse's name and the work and personal worth of every policeman, fireman and city employee who faithfully seeks to serve this city."

According to the letter, Sollman recommends that the FOP manage the money and put it in an account for any person whose spouse is killed in the line-of-duty in the future.

william.ford@mcall.com

610-559-2142

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Source: The Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania

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