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Community Corner

Fundraiser Set for Thursday to Honor Slain ATF Agent

Proceeds from Mulcahy's benefit will go toward late John Capano's wife and two children.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association along with  in Wantagh will host a benefit Thursday evening to remember ATF Senior Special Agent John Capano just over three months after he was  trying to stop a New Year's Eve pharmacy robbery in Seaford.

Capano, a 23-year veteran of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, was awaiting a prescription for his father in as James McGoey of Hampton Bays entered the store armed, demanding cash and prescription drugs. As Capano confronted McGoey, an off-duty officer responded to the scene which ended in a shootout killing both Capano and the suspect.

"John died a hero while protecting the neighborhood where he was lifelong resident," said a flyer released by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association promoting Thursday's fundraiser for Capano, who was a Massapequa resident and . "John's final act of valor has forever changed the lives of his family, colleagues and the community of which he was such a special member, but it was the way John lived his life every which is how he will be forever remembered in our hearts."

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A decorated officer, Capano volunteered to serve his nation on ATF operations all around the world, including Colombia, Peru, Iraq and Afghanistan, but Eric Immesberger of the ATF Long Island Field Office said he was a family man above all else.

"John was as solid an agent as you can get, very intent on doing an excellent job, but the real story is that he was a family man devoted completely to his wife and two children," Immesberger said. "As much as he loved ATF, his family was his life and he loved them 100 times more."

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Proceeds from Thursday's event will benefit the Capano family of Massapequa. Admission is $40 per person which includes an open bar and dinner buffet along with live entertainment from 7-11 p.m. Several prizes will be raffled off including tremendous vacations, gift certificates and more.

Additional donations can be sent to a memorial fund set up by the Federal Drug Agents Foundation: Special Agent John Capano Memorial Fund, Federal Drug Agents Foundation 380 N. Broadway, Suite 203, Jericho, NY 11753.

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