Parola Foundation makes final donations to Maine State Police

    AUGUSTA — The Parola Foundation, founded in honor of the late Maine State Trooper Jeff Parola, recently disbanded following 19 years of donations to Maine law enforcement agencies for a total of $227,753.

Maine Department of Public Safety photo

PAROLA FOUNDATION DONATION — Judy Raymond and John Parola, the parents of the late Trooper Jeff Parola, recent presented Sgt. Nick Grass of the Maine State Police with a check for $76,000 for use by the tactical team.

    The group was formed following Parola’s death in 1994 in an auto accident in Sidney as he was responding to a domestic violence call. His family formed the foundation in his honor, and their main source of revenue during the years was an annual golf tournament.
    Donations have been used for safety equipment, statewide scholarships to high school students who chose to attend school in the criminal justice field, scholarships to students who attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and funds to help families of Maine law enforcement officers who suffered a work-related injury or death.
    The group gathered recently at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro to hand out their final checks.
    Parola’s parents, Judy Raymond and John Parola, presented Sgt. Nick Grass with a check for $76,000 for use by the tactical team. The foundation also had awarded the team another $49,240 during prior years.
    State Police Deputy Chief Ray Bessette attended the check presentation and thanked the Parola Foundation for their support and contributions to the department, especially the tactical team. Bessette said the money will be used to update equipment used by the team.
    Also receiving a major donation was the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Director John Rogers said part of the $38,000 will go toward building an outdoor physical fitness course on the academy grounds in Jeff’s honor. The foundation proceeds also will be used to continue a $1,000 scholarship to a tuition student from each academy class.
    Jeff Parola, a three-sport letter winner, graduated from Dexter Regional High School in 1986. He attended the University of Maine and later graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
    Parola served with Troop J in Machias and Troop C in Skowhegan and became a member of the Maine State Police Tactical Team in November 1992.
    Just two weeks before his death, Parola received a state police bravery award for a tactical team response in the town of York.