Pagano Fundraiser Today

The family of Lt. Jim Pagano is hosting the inaugural "Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation" golf tournament today at .

Pagano was shot and killed outside of his child's birthday party on May 18, 2008, after a stray ball went into a neighbor's yard.

A 17-year-veteran of the Cranston Fire Department, Pagano was "a family man, a loyal friend to marry and an upstanding individual who was deeply committed to improving the quality of life for the citizens in the local community, especially children," the foundation's Web site states.

Pagano's mother, Rose Pagano, told WPRI that Pagano was passionate about the development of children and their participation in team sports and academics. 

"Our hope for the Foundation is to assist children in achieving Jim's noble passions and values; to help them develop as individuals and thrive as adults," Pagano told WPRI. "It's an opportunity to turn tragedy into triumph, senselessness into purposefulness, and to honor the memory of a fine human being."

The tournament will raise money for children's character building programs.

For more information about the foundation, visit www.jimpaganofoundation.com

You can also visit the foundation's Facebook page by clicking HERE.