Police gather in Washington to share memories of fallen officers

WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of police officers -- including many from New England -- are in Washington DC for police week.

They're also there to remember fellow officers killed in the line of duty -- two of them from right here at home.

Facing the heavy emotion of remembering those no longer here, police officers lined up to remember the 144 fellow officers killed in the line of duty last year.

Weymouth Police Sergeant Michael Chesna and Yarmouth Sergeant Sean Gannon will be among those honored this week. The week of memorials will include the President addressing the officers from across the country.

"It's been a year that's very long," Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson said.

Chief Frederickson is in Washington with his officers and with heavy hearts. He says the impact of losing Sergeant Gannon was way more than he expected. Chief Frederickson describes Sgt. Gannon as the "Tom Brady of his police department" and never one to see the spotlight.

"[He was] a wonderful son, a great husband, an outstanding sibling and as a police officer, I don't know that you could get much better," the chief said. "He would be very low key and would be like embarrassed that you're doing this for him."

Frederickson says honoring these officers is just the beginning. He says the list is long of those who wear the badge in need of support from their communities back home.

"We're here just talking about the officers who died," Chief Frederickson said. "There are many others who suffer post-traumatic stress. They suffer serious, debilitating injuries that will last them a lifetime. And those officers you don't hear much about."

That issue came up too at an event raising awareness for police and other first responders falling victim to suicide.

You can hear more about that issue in our podcast First on Scene.

Cox Media Group