Goal to raise $1 million for heroic Belleville cop who stopped a Jewish slaughter

A fundraising campaign set up by the Canadian Jewish community for hero Belleville cop Const. Jeff Smith, severely injured while protecting a synagogue from a hate-motivated mass shooting, is aiming to raise $1 million in a show of gratitude to those who defend Canadians every day.

The GoFundMe started last week with an initial goal of $18,000 has raised more than $819,000 as of Monday morning.

“What began as an immediate expression of gratitude has become a national demonstration of what Canadians believe,” organizer Derek Kreindler wrote in a Sunday update. “When someone risks his life protecting others, the people he protected will remember him and stand behind his family.”

As of Monday morning, the campaign sits at roughly $817,000 and climbing.

Kreindler thanked the more than 7,200 who’ve already donated, and made clear he’s not asking them to do so again. Rather, he wants people to share Const. Smith’s story with people who may not have heard it in hopes of meeting the new fundraising goal.

“If you know a philanthropic family, foundation, business leader or other individual who might consider making a significant contribution, please consider forwarding the campaign privately or offering to make an introduction,” Kreindler continued.

“There is no expectation or pressure. We simply want those who may wish to participate to have the opportunity to do so.”

Smith’s story began around 7:10 p.m. last Sunday outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, where he was parked as a small congregation gathered inside to mark the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish faith.

According to officials, shooter Sean Ward opened fire on Smith, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body before exiting his vehicle and engaging in a gunfight. Smith and another responding officer, Const. Michael McCurdy, were able to strike the 29-year-old shooter, who has since died in hospital.

Smith remains in the same hospital recovering from his injuries, with his wife Ashley Smith noting in an emotional Facebook post two days after the attack that he “has a very long, difficult road ahead.”

While GoFundMe’s top two donors ($14,128 and $10,000, respectively) are anonymous, the top public donor is criminal defence lawyer Solomon Friedman, who told National Post in an email last week that “words are insufficient to describe the debt that is owed” to the officers.

“They and their families are deserving of our endless gratitude and support,” he wrote.

Paul, Jeff and Leslie Wynn, members of the prominent Toronto real estate business and philanthropic family, contributed $5,000, as did Heather Reisman, CEO of Indigo.

“We have already accomplished something extraordinary,” Kreindler wrote Sunday.

“Together, let us carry this expression of gratitude to $1 million for Constable Smith and his family.”

In a campaign update on Saturday, Kreindler clarified that while the funds being raised are specifically for the benefit of Smith and his family, not McCurdy, he encouraged anyone interested in starting one to contact the Belleville Police Service to “ensure that whatever they propose is something that will be necessary and beneficial.”

He also reminded donors that the synagogue has its own GoFundMe to “rebuild and secure” the east end Belleville shul.

“Your donation will help fund essential security work, including repairing and reinforcing the windows damaged by gunfire, strengthening the building’s security, and putting critical measures in place to better protect everyone who walks through our doors,” organizer Hadas Brajtman posted.

As of Monday morning, it was less than $5,000 shy of its $90,000 goal.

“This is about more than repairing what was damaged,” Brajtman said. “It is about ensuring our children can grow up with a Jewish community they are proud of, families can gather for Shabbat and holidays, and our elders can walk through these doors feeling safe.”