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The Magan Memorial Trust was established on 8/11/2000 in tribute to Fall River Police Detective Richard G. Magan. On that date, Det. Magan was working an extra shift at the City’s annual waterfront celebration and was rushing to assist another officer when he fell from a twenty-foot wall, sustaining fatal injuries. The Magan Memorial Trust was created as a charitable organization under sections 170(c), 501(c )(3), 2055 (a), and 2522 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code which restricts the purposes for which the Trust monies can be used to those that are charitable in nature. The Trust agreement was executed in April, 2001.

To date, the Trust has committed all its funds to the establishment of three separate educational scholarships for high school seniors, all of which are perpetual. An independent scholarship selection panel makes the determination of scholarship recipients. Although the Trust is able to disburse monies for other charitable purposes, no other funds have been distributed thus far.

Under legal guidelines, no profits are taken and no Committee members receive compensation for service. All monies generated become part of the Trust Fund.

Donations are accepted at any time and can be sent to the Magan Memorial Trust via the Fall River Police Department, 685 Pleasant St., Fall River, Ma. 02723. The Magan Irish Harvest Festival, held annually in mid-September at the St. James Irish Pub in Fall River, continues to be the primary means of growing the Trust and, to date, has contributed almost $65,000 to its worth.

The Trust Committee consists of five voting members, including the Administrator and Co-Administrator, all of whom serve voluntarily.

• Cathleen L. Moniz, Administrator
• John Champagne, Co–Administrator
• Michael K. Hoar
• Norbert Pacheco
• Sheila Taylor

Serving as advisors to the Committee are the active Chief of Police John M. Souza, Det. Magan’s surviving parents, George and Pat, and Officer Mary Beth Buglio. The Committee meets according to its by–laws a minimum of twice annually, in February and October.

For more information about the Magan Memorial Trust, the scholarships, the independent selection panel, or the annual Magan Irish Harvest event, please contact Cathleen L. Moniz at 508 324-2791.

* Child/grandchild is defined as the biological, adopted, or legal stepchild/grandchild of the Fall River officer. Preference in scholarships awards is given to incoming college freshman but may be awarded to other eligible applicants if no incoming freshman meets the criteria. The Scholarship Selection Panel is independent of the Memorial Trust Committee and does not consult with the Committee in making its decision. The decision of the Scholarship Selection Panel is final.

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