New scholarship honors former California Borough police chief

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Graduating seniors in the California Area School District are eligible for a new scholarship this year that honors the late California Borough Police Chief Tim Sheehan.

It’s one of 22 scholarships offered through the California Area School District Foundation, and funds are still being raised to cover the award for this year and into the future.

“We want to be able to give it out year after year,” said Barb Vrabel, a member of the foundation and a neighbor of the Sheehan family.

Vrabel said she approached several area organizations providing information on making donations to the scholarship fund. One of those organizations, the Charleroi Regional Police Department, reached out to the California Borough Police Department by providing Chief Tim Sheehan Memorial challenge coins to help with the fundraising efforts. 

“The Charleroi police department fronted the money for these coins and had them donated to us for a scholarship in his name,” said acting California Police Chief Thomas McCarthy.

The police department is selling the two-sided coins recognizing Sheehan’s service as both a police officer and a firefighter. The coins are $15 each and are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the California police station at 225 Third St.

“All of the proceeds are going toward the scholarship,” McCarthy said. “He was very proud to be a school resource officer and he loved the children and the education system.”

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