Be Wary of Blood Donor Scam, Martinez Police Warn

by Bay City News

Phony phone calls have been made to solicit money for a fund put together for a Martinez police sergeant who died last month, Martinez police said.          

A couple of citizens have called police about people requesting money
on behalf of the "Brian Carter Family Memorial Trust Fund" set up by the Martinez Police Officers' Association, Sgt. Glenn Walkup said.

Martinez police Sgt. Brian Carter, 37, died from non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma on June 22.

Walkup explained that the police association does not make phone solicitations for donations, though a legitimate account under the same name does exist through the Contra Costa County Federal Credit Union.         

Luckily, he said, there has been no fraud and no one has gotten money out of the "very secure" account.

"It is unfortunate that there are those who would try and take advantage of a situation like this," Bryan Dodd, Martinez Police Officers' Association president, said.

In honor of the officer, the association is sponsoring a blood drive Friday at the Martinez City Council chambers at 525 Henrietta St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No fundraisers have been planned, Walkup said.

The center that will be collecting the donated blood "provided a
lot of assistance to Brian," he said. "The blood drive is something we can give back and helps raise awareness."          

Carter had served with the Martinez Police Department for more than a decade before his death from blood cancer.