'Rock for a Reason' concert honoring Paramus Detective Morgan tonight

REMINDER: A rocking fundraiser for Paramus Detective Rachel Morgan, who continues to undergo procedures after being shot last year, starts at 8 tonight.

"Rock for a Reason" reunites the "roller-rink rock" band Spit-Roast Muppet and features guest appearances by the Police Pipes & Drums of Bergen County and Crooked Parker, led by singer Dan Lopez.

Each year, the RFAR executive board selects a worthy individual from the community who deserves recognition and has a need for special assistance.

As River Vale Sgt. John DeVoe, the founder of RFAR put it, the group spotlights "an ordinary person involved in an extraordinary circumstance – the sort of thing that inspires good in people everywhere to pitch in and lend a helping hand."

This year, those involved said, it was easy to identify a worthy local hero.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Jan. 14, 2002
WHERE: Duke Ocean Grill, 37 Route 303, Tappan, NY
HOW MUCH: $15 door donation
CHECKS TO: “PBA Local 186,” with “Rock For A Reason P.O. Morgan” on memo line
SEND TO: P.O. Box 911, Westwood, NJ 07675

Paramus Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local #186 immediately hopped on board, and plans were quickly discussed and finalized for Morgan's special night. Local #186, a duly authorized 501(c)(3) charitable organization (#80-0544886) can accept direct, tax-deductible donations.

Morgan was shot an hour or so before midnight Feb. 6 by a fleeing suspect who crashed his car, fired at her several times, then turned the weapon on himself during a gunfight with her speedy backup, Paramus Officer Ryan Hayo.

THE PIPES & DRUMS OF BERGEN COUNTY, PLUS ....

Morgan was struck twice in the abdomen and once in the leg. It was touch-and-go at the start, but she fought through four separate surgeries the first three weeks, determined to not only survive physically and emotionally but to become a detective.

After months of delay, the Paramus Borough Council finally granted her wish, presenting her a detective's shield last month.

You wouldn't know it from seeing or talking to her, but Morgan still has various surgeries and procedures left on her road to full recovery. But she's committed to more than perservering: She's determined to be a model of tenacity and hope for others in similar circumstances.

All involved in "Rock for a Reason" hope to help lighten her load.

"By using rock and roll for a night of fun," DeVoe said, "RFAR brings people together to transform a sad story into an extremely positive memory."

NOTE: All proceeds will benefit Morgan’s continued recovery and support her mission to empower police officers to persevere through similar critical incidents.

Facebook: RockForAReason
Twitter: @RockForAReason

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MORE (Click on headlines to read):

Wounded officer to speak to police academy grads

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YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: Hometown heroine Paramus Detective Rachel Morgan, shot three times during an encounter with a crazed gunman last year, is the keynote speaker at tonight's River Vale Junior Police Academy Commencement Ceremony.

Should newspaper get shooting video of Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan?

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Hail to Paramus Officer Rachel Morgan and Ryan Hayo -- and to Bergen's prosecutor

Thursday, 31 March 2011 17:42 Jerry DeMarco

EDITORIAL: Technically, he didn't have to do it: Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli could have simply filed his report with the state Attorney General about the Feb. 6 chase and subsequent shootout that left Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan critically wounded and the suspect dead from deliberately shooting himself. But the prosecutor held a news conference today to laud Morgan and her backup, Officer Ryan Hayo, as heroes.

Officer Rachel Morgan, wounded by gunman, released from hospital

Thursday, 17 February 2011 23:12 Jerry DeMarco

Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan was released from the hospital today, following the announcement that police in River Vale police are holding a blood drive in her honor. Morgan, who was shot several times by a fleeing suspect Feb. 6, lives in town.

Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan publicly thanks friends, family -- and her hero

Saturday, 12 February 2011 23:02 Jerry DeMarco

Are you ready for this? From her hospital bed, Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan sent a message to everyone praying for her recovery -- and thanked her backup, Officer Ryan Hayo: “I may not have survived had u not gotten there so fast,” she wrote.

Wounded Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan tells her boss: 'I'm coming back to work'

Friday, 11 February 2011 13:27 Jerry DeMarco

"Tell him I'm coming back to work," Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan wrote to her boss, Acting Police Chief Christopher Brock. "Amazing," Brock said of the 31-year-old officer, who is recovering from being shot twice by a fleeing suspect Sunday night.

Gunman who critically wounded Paramus police officer dies at hospital

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 15:15 Jerry DeMarco

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Gunman in Paramus firefight shot himself in suicide try, authorities confirm

Monday, 07 February 2011 17:07 Jerry DeMarco

ONLY ON CLIFFVIEW PILOT: Two law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the incident told CLIFFVIEW PILOT Monday that the trajectory of the bullet through Michael Sean Carmody's chin clearly indicates he turned his own gun on himself after he was wounded in a shootout with police.

Paramus police officer critical but stable after shooting surgery

Monday, 07 February 2011 10:35 Jerry DeMarco

UPDATE: Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan is listed in critical but stable condition this morning after she was shot following a chase last night. The gunman, Michael Sean Carmody of Westwood, is reported in critical condition after being shot several times, including in the head.