Donation Made to Family of Slain ATF Agent

Last week, David Lerner Associates and the Greater Long Island Running Club(GLIRC) presented a donation of $2,500 to the , dedicated to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) officer who was  when he attempted to prevent a pharmacy robbery in Seaford.  

The presentation was attended by several ATF agents, along with several police officers currently serving on the board of the Nassau County Police Running Club. David Lerner, owner and president of Syosset-based DLA, thanked the assembled law enforcement officials for their contribution to Long Island communities and lamented the loss of an outstanding individual such as Special Agent Capano. 

“Law enforcement professionals such as Special Agent Capano represent the difference between order and chaos in our communities, and they deserve our gratitude,” Lerner said. “We always hate presenting donations under these kinds of circumstances, but we are glad to be able to extend a helping hand to the Capano family during this extraordinarily difficult time.”

Capano, a Massapequa resident and  who served 23 years as an ATF agent, was killed trying to stop an  of . While inside the Seaford pharmacy picking up cancer medication for his father, James McGoey of Hampton Bays entered the store demanding cash and drugs. Capano proceeded to confront the suspect as he fled out the front door before a retired cop and off-duty police officer also responded to the scene of the armed robbery.

Brian Davis, an attorney for retired Nassau County police Lt. Christopher Geraghty, 54, told the Associated Press that his client shot Capano as he and the suspect struggled for control of a weapon while unsure who was “the bad guy” and is “devastated" by what happened. Geraghty, of Woodbury, had responded to the scene along with off-duty New York City Police Officer Joseph Arbia of Seaford after being alerted about the armed robbery while eating at  next door to the pharmacy.

DLA and the GLIRC have a long history of contribution to local law enforcement. DLA raises money for Long Island police officers and their families through the annual David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run with this year's race scheduled for June 14. 

The Special Agent John Capano Memorial Fund was established by the Federal Drug Agents Foundation to help with his two children’s education expenses as well as necessary family financial obligations. If you would like to contribute, make your check out to the Special Agent John Capano Memorial Fund and send it to the Federal Drug Agents Foundation at 380 N. Broadway, Suite 203, Jericho, NY.