Founders of Montco Hero Fund to be honored with award from National Liberty Museum
NORRISTOWN » It’s always better to be prepared before tragedy strikes.
With that in mind, attorney Sean Cullen and his wife Sharon launched the Montgomery County Hero fund eight years ago and are now being honored for their compassion by the National Liberty Museum (NLM.)
NLM will present an award to the couple, now celebrating their 11th anniversary, for Meritorious Community Service, as well as 12 Awards of Valor to First Responders, including fire fighters and EMTs in the Greater Philadelphia area in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.
The purpose of the Hero Fund, established in 2012 in response to the murder of Plymouth Township Police officer Brad Fox, has always been to provide “immediate and ongoing relief and services to any Law Enforcement Officer, Military Personnel, Firemen, Paramedics and/or first Responders or their loved ones as a result of tragedy on duty in or in service of the people of Montgomery County.”
Before founding the Heroes Fund, Sean and Sharon Cullen had been involved with several local organizations, Cullen said.
“Before the Police Athletic League shut down, Sharon was an active member for years, on the board of directors, and worked with the Patty Simons food drive. When Brad passed away, my wife Sharon, Tom O’Donnell and Officer Brian Saxon had an event at Elmwood Park Zoo and what happened was, the hurricane had hit the week before and we were doing everything just to get the zoo open again in time for the event,” he recalled. “We did it, and when it was over we realized that it’s good to help after something bad happens but it’s better to be prepared ahead of time. That’s when Sharon and I started the Montgomery County Hero Fund.”
The organization soon obtained nonprofit status and welcomed Montgomery County detective Samuel Gallen onto the board of directors, which included the Cullens, O’Donnell and Saxon.
“The fund gives us the ability to make sure that police, military, and first responders and their families are taken care of in times of tragedy,” Cullen said. “It’s a good jumping off point to be able to help the community when something bad happens. A lot times when something goes wrong people don’t feel like they should ask or don’t know who to ask, so that’s why we like to be here and the minute we hear of someone in need we like to be right on it.
Sharon Cullen has also served on the District Attorney’s Youth Panel, Board of Victim Services Panel and West Norriton Civil Service Commission and is a licensed insurance agent with Edelman Insurance Management.
Sharon Cullen, a North Penn High School graduate, has worked for the Prothonotary, District Attorney and County Commissioners Office and served on the Board of Directors of Norristown PAL, District Attorney’s Youth Panel, Board of Victim Services Panel and West Norriton Civil Service Commission.
She is a licensed insurance agent with Edelman Insurance Management.
Sean Cullen is a 1994 Temple University graduate and graduated from Widener School of Law in 1997.
He was awarded a scholarship and received his post Doctoral Degree in Trial Advocacy in 2001 from Temple. He was awarded the District Attorney of Montgomery County’s Medal.
He and his law partner R. David Conwell purchased 40 E. Main Street, Norristown, in 2005 and started the law firm Cullen & Conwell.
Cullen has also served as solicitor/counsel to the Montgomery County Chief’s of Police Association; former Sheriff of Montgomery County; County Detectives Association; Pennsylvania State Police; Elmwood Park Zoo; Fireman’s Relief Association in Norristown; The Holy Savior Club; MaennerChor Club in Norristown as well as various religious groups and police benevolent associations.
Also being recognized on Dec. 8, for Valor in Emergency Response, is firefighter William Helenski of the Swedeland Fire Company/Upper Merion Township Fire & EMS.
“The Awards of Valor recipients have stories that are moving and inspiring, representing the very best of what the Museum considers ‘everyday heroes’,” noted Gwen Borowsky, executive director of the National Liberty Museum, in a press release.
“This Award recognizes the selfless individuals who compassionately give back to the community they serve and who unhesitatingly put themselves in dangerous situations to keep all in the community safe. They are an inspiration for what it means to be part of a team and a community.”
Now in its 15th year, the National Liberty Museum Awards of Valor is sponsored by local Chevrolet Dealers.