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Here’s how to help the children Officer John O’Keefe was the guardian for

O'Keefe had been raising his niece and nephew since their mother and father passed away in 2013 and 2014.

Officer John O'Keefe with his niece, Kayley, and nephew, Patrick. GoFundMe

By Arianna MacNeill

1 minute to read
Officer John O'Keefe

When Boston police officer John O’Keefe died in late January, he left behind his niece and nephew, for whom he was the guardian.

Now, a fundraiser is being held to help with their futures.

O’Keefe, 46, began raising Kayley and Patrick Furbush after their mother and father passed away in 2013 and 2014, according to the GoFundMe. It notes that he was “primarily devoted” to them.

As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had taken in over $257,000, easily blowing past the $10,000 stated goal.

A steady stream of police officers could be seen heading into the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Braintree where O’Keefe’s wake was held on Sunday.

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O’Keefe’s funeral was set for Monday with dozens of police headed to the same church.

O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Read, 41, has been charged in connection with his death. She’s being charged with manslaughter, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision causing death, and motor vehicle homicide.

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