MAUREEN FAULKNER, STILL ON THE JOB
 
 Oct 23, 2003 
 
MICHAEL SMERCONISH 
 
TWENTY-two years after a degenerate taxi driver shot her husband, Maureen 
Faulkner is not only still defending Danny's honor, but she's doing so 
with a new sense of purpose. 
 
With very little fanfare, Maureen has begun making education grants to 
students whose parents have been murdered or incapacitated by violent crime. 
 
The money comes from the nationwide outpouring of support that Maureen has 
received in the face of the Hollywood left's rallying to the aid of the 
man who was convicted of Danny Faulkner's murder. (You know his name. I will 
not stain this column by repeating it. ) 
 
Many years ago, Maureen Faulkner reached a point where she couldn't take 
it any more. More than 100 Web sites were created in support of the 
cop-killer. Colleges were inviting him to speak via tape at commencement. A 
cottage industry of lawyers, so-called experts and liberal apologists were 
feeding off the sham that was his defense. And there seemed to be an endless 
supply of funds for their shenanigans. 
 
So she formed Justice for Police Officer Daniel Faulkner to honor the 
memory of Danny and spread the truth about the manner in which he died. 
Through a series of fund-raisers - and without ever hiring a single person - she 
collected the money necessary for the fight. 
 
Soon, Maureen Faulkner was able to fund a Web site 
(www.danielfaulkner.com) containing the entire 1982 trial transcript. When the likes of Whoopi 
Goldberg and Ed Asner sponsored a full-page ad in the New York Times 
spreading lies about the case, Maureen was able to respond in kind, publicizing 
portions of the transcript that the Hollywood left hoped the public would 
never see. 
 
And in 2000, she quietly formed the Daniel Faulkner Educational Grant Fund 
as a means of channeling some of the pro-Faulkner money to a charitable 
purpose. She decided to help educate the kids of crime victims. 
 
Tonight, four more awards, each for $5,000, will be made to these worthy 
students: Vilika Meade (Art Institute of Philadelphia), Willima Billy Keitt 
(Kutztown State University), Michael Selby (Frankford School of Nursing) 
and Edward Fields (University of Pittsburgh). 
 
These four now join Aking Beverly, Justin Frisby, Erma Aponte, Dana Dutch 
and Charles Ritterson, who have previously benefited from Faulkner 
education grants. 
 
Erma Aponte's personal tragedy is typical. Her father was murdered close 
to Christmas in 2000 while driving a taxi in North Philadelphia. Before 
reporting for work the night he was killed, he'd told Erma that he'd try to 
earn the $50 she needed for an application to computer school. Erma is one 
of six Aponte kids now fatherless. 
 
Jerry Watkins, who administers the grant program, told me that "I called 
her to tell her she was the recipient of $5,000 from Maureen Faulkner to 
continue her education. She told me that very day she had been in court to 
hear a jury find her father's killer guilty of murder. 'It shows my dad is 
still watching over me,' " she said to Watkins. 
 
Watkins, one of several Faulkner volunteers, told me that the requirements 
include a parent having been murdered or incapacitated by violent crime, 
Philadelphia residency, an educational plan and financial need. 
 
Tonight's presentation will take place at 6:30 at Geno's Steaks in South 
Philadelphia. Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and ex-Commissioner 
John Timoney are expected to be there. 
 
Why Geno's? Because one of Maureen's biggest boosters has been owner Joe 
Vento, who three years ago hosted a block party and gave a full-day's gross 
to the Faulkner cause - $60,000. 
 
Maureen Faulkner's channeling of her energy into educating the children of 
victims of violence does not mean the fight against Danny's attackers is 
over. Two weeks ago, Paris named his murderer an honorary citizen, and last 
week she debated actor Mike Farrell on the "O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News. 
 
With class and conviction, Maureen continues to make Danny proud. *
 
Michael Smerconish can be heard weekdays 5:30-9 a.m. on the Big Talker, 
1210/AM. Contact him via the Web at www.mastalk.com.