San Jose police officers presented more than $6,000 today to three children orphaned by last month's double homicide.
Around 3 p.m., the children and their guardian, 29-year-old Erica Espinoza, attended a patrol briefing at police headquarters to accept a number of gift cards for groceries, clothing and school supplies that will make up part of the donation.
"People are always talking negative about (the police) and it's not that way ... they have the biggest hearts," Espinoza said.
The money that went toward the check and gift cards for the children come from a combination of sources - about $3,000 raised by the Police Officers Association, $1,600 raised by San Jose police fundraisers and donations, and $1,6000 donated by an anonymous police officer.
San Jose police Chief Moore said he wasn't sure the children, who are ages 8, 6, and 5, were old enough to understand what happened today, only that their parents are gone.
"I hope what they got out of it is that there are a bunch of adults who care about them," Moore said. "We wanted to say, we can't change things ... but we grieve for you."
The children, who Espinoza says she plans to raise alongside her own three, have been quiet, reserved and "in shock" since their parents died.
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When asked about herself Espinoza said, "I'm ok ... I'm strong for them."
According to Espinoza, the children are scheduled to resume attending school in the next month or two.
