Eric Williams Scholarship Fund

　

     The ERIC WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP FUND was created within a short time after the death of Eric Williams, a federal corrections officer who was murdered in the line of duty at Canaan Penitentiary on February 25, 2013.

      Donations to the fund were quickly forthcoming, many from individuals and families nationwide. A large number of donations were received from law enforcement agencies, unions, and employees clubs.

      Eric’s parents, who administer the fund, decided that any scholarship awards given out should go to students who are enrolled in programs leading to law enforcement careers, such as criminal justice programs and police academy programs.

Initially, two colleges and one police academy program were selected to receive scholarship awards on an annual basis for a minimum of five years. These particular institutions were all attended by Eric in the attainment of his degree and training for the law enforcement field.

      In the second year, the scholarship fund has gone beyond the local institutions in Pennsylvania, and has awarded several thousand dollars in scholarships to colleges and programs in California, Massachusetts, and West Virginia.

      It is the goal and intention of the Williams family to continue to sponsor events such as the Eric Williams Race for Justice in an effort to continue providing scholarship awards to deserving students across the county who wish to become part of the law enforcement community.