Lt. Aaron Salter was helping a woman load groceries into her car outside of the Tops grocery store on May 14 when a body armor-clad gunman opened fire. The retired Buffalo police officer, who had worked at the East Side grocery story since leaving the force, ran back inside and positioned himself to save other people.
His actions gave others time to either leave the store or move to safety – he made sure that they had a fighting chance. Ultimately, Salter was among the 10 people killed by the gunman, who was reportedly targeting Black people. His heroic actions that Saturday afternoon saved the lives of others. He paid the price with his own life.
In his honor, three of his friends and fellow retired Buffalo police offers – Nate Goldsmith, Earl Perrin Jr., and Brad Pitts – created the Lt. Aaron Salter Memorial Scholarship (LASMS) this past June. Their goal is to establish a long-lasting commemoration to what was most important to Salter: education and giving back to the community. This scholarship will continue Salter’s dedication to giving others a fighting chance by furthering financially disadvantaged students’ lives.
“His whole purpose was to serve,” Perrin Jr. said. “We figured what better way to memorialize him than being able to serve the community that he was serving. We thought by creating a scholarship fund we could have a lasting impression.”
To gauge interest in their idea, Goldsmith, Perrin Jr. and Pitts reached out to 15 people to ask for $100 donations. They thought it would be a good start – to raise $1,500 and give it to a student at Salter’s alma mater, Hutchinson-Central Technical High School.
Immediately, 15 people committed to donate within an hour, and the commitments doubled hours later. It was at that time that they knew this was the best way to memorialize their friend.
Former Buffalo Bills star Bruce Smith came on-board this past August and hosted a celebrity golf tournament for the scholarship. To continue the momentous fundraising, LASMS will host its inaugural Masquerade Ball on Friday, November 11 at Resurgence Brewing Company.
With funds raised, the goal is to provide a $5,000 scholarship to 10 students a year, starting in June 2023. The scholarship will benefit financially disadvantaged students in the city of Buffalo who want to make the community a better place through technological advancements and through helping others – just like Salter did.
Perrin Jr. recalled how important education was to Salter and how he was an innovator, far ahead of his time.
As part of their tight-knit police precinct, the friends always watched sports and went to football games together. Salter loved RVs and was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. Perrin Jr. recalled that he and Salter were going to a Bills game in the mid-1990s, and Salter wanted to watch the pre-game on the way to the game. Salter set up DirectTV in his RV to watch the pre-game with wireless speakers – something Perrin Jr. had never seen before.
Perrin Jr. joked that he would affectionately call Salter, “Salts,” a mad scientist. Salter was the first person he knew who had solar-powered lights at his house, and he created a hydrogen-powered engine, for which he achieved a patent.
“Everything he did was to use science – and what was at his disposal – to make it better for everyone else,” Perrin Jr. said.
Pitts, who met Salter in elementary school, recalled how Salter excelled in academics. While exceptionally smart, he was also approachable. He helped others learn tasks and subjects that were tough for them. Being helpful was simply in his nature.
In addition to helping people with education and technology, Pitts also noted that Salter truly worked for others as a police officer. Salter was a conduit – a voice between the community in which he lived and the police department. He made sure that his community’s concerns were brought to the police department and acted upon.
Perrin Jr. noted how important community service was to Salter. Even after retiring from the Buffalo Police Department after 30 years of service, he continued to protect shoppers at Tops as a security guard. Salter helped people cross the street, and always assisted people with their groceries. “He was a true community voice,” Perrin Jr. said. “And now students will be able to continue the giving that he gave to so many.”
“It had to be somebody special for you to do [create a scholarship] something like this,” added Perrin Jr. “The police department is like any other job. There’s rarely anywhere you can go where someone doesn’t have something negative to say about you. He’s the opposite. You can’t find anybody who would’ve said anything negative about him. He was that good of a guy.”
Lt. Aaron Salter Memorial Scholarship Masquerade Ball
Live music, complimentary valet parking, open bar, catering from several restaurants, 50/50 raffle, and more!
Friday, Nov. 11 from 7–11 p.m. (doors close at 8:30)
Resurgence Brewing Company – 55 Chicago St. Buffalo, NY 14204
Tickets
Learn more information about Lt. Aaron Salter Memorial Scholarship and donate
Laad image courtesy Earl Perrin Jr.
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