WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — We have seen so much community support for Det. Kyle Gilmartin in the past week, and it just keeps coming from the Scranton area and beyond.
In Wilkes-Barre, Gilmartin's former teachers and classmates at Holy Redeemer are making sure today's students know the impact he had on the school before he became a police officer.
Flipping through a Holy Redeemer yearbook from 2008, you'll find lots of photos of Kyle Gilmartin from his senior year.
Maureen Janoski was his math teacher.
"My first thought was, 'Did I teach him?' And I heard 'Gilmartin,' and when they said 'Kyle,' I said, 'Gosh, I did teach him.' I remember he was tall, and he had dark hair. He was very outgoing and a great student. He participated in class, and my heart just broke," Janoski said.
Gilmartin graduated from the school in Wilkes-Barre in 2008. Classmate Marcus Grudzinski now teaches social studies at Holy Redeemer.
"That was a unique year because all of the schools were combining, so it was the first year Redeemer actually formed. Nobody really knew each other besides who you went to school with before. Kyle was somebody who was approachable, and he talked to everyone, really friendly."
To show their solidarity on Thursday, students wore blue. Teachers say even though many of these students never met Det. Gilmartin, they all stepped up to show their support for their fellow Royal.
"Not just wearing blue but also the donations they brought in for him, the well wishes, the prayers is overwhelming, and I hope his family knows that we have his back," Grudzinski said.
"I say he was once sitting in the same seats you are sitting, so let's keep him and his family in your prayers," Janoski said.
In two days, Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre was able to raise $3,500 for Det. Gilmartin and his family. The whole school community is wishing him a speedy recovery.