Tunnel to Towers Foundation has fully paid the mortgage on the Smithsburg, Maryland home of fallen U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Frederick Police Officer Gregory Santangelo as part of its 2023 Season of Hope.
Santangelo passed away on Dec. 28, 2021, from complications from COVID-19 contracted while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Sarah and their children.
“Knowing that we will always have a home to shelter us has helped my children feel secure in their future,” said Sarah.
Santangelo spent four years in the Marine Corps following his graduation from high school. Following his honorable discharge after serving in the Gulf War, Santangelo returned to Frederick County and worked for several years as an investigator for the State’s Attorney Office. He joined the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. In 2013, he joined the Frederick City Police Department.
During his career, Santangelo served as a sniper on the Special Services Team, a Field Training Officer and an instructor at the academy, where he was honored as Instructor of the Year. He served on the training unit at the academy for the majority of his time with the Frederick City Police, where he was the lead instructor for eight entry-level academies, numerous lateral academies, and one comparative compliance course.
“For most of the country, the world has returned to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic. But for those families who lost loved ones, there is no return to normal,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “Officer Santangelo did what so many of our first responders did, reporting to work and answering calls for help.”
The Tunnel to Towers Season of Hope is its annual commitment to do good and honor the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes.
To learn more about the families benefiting from the 2023 Season of Hope and to join T2T’s mission to deliver forever homes to these heroes and their families, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.