Day: April 21, 2013

We have all been saddened, angered, horrified–emotions run deep and are varied–by the death of  MIT Officer Sean Collier, and the deaths of marathon spectators eight-year-old Martin Richard, BU student Lingzi Lu, and 29-year-old Krystle Cambell, as well as the many victims of the bombing whose lives have been permanently altered. I think too, everyone is filled with a great sense of pride for the extraordinary heroism and courage shown by our police officers and rescue workers. Their heroism and compassion was captured live through the extensive and still on-going media coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings and subsequent capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Although an extreme example, we saw a real-time window into their world; a view we won’t quickly forget.

In thinking about how to express support, I first read about the Boston Police Foundation, but my thoughts then turned closer to home in regard to our own Gloucester police officers. I thought you would be interested to learn what I learned about the Gloucester Police Relief Fund.

Officer Scott Duffany, who is president of the Gloucester Police Relief Fund, explained that monies raised from the relief fund goes toward helping families of fallen officers, provides flags for fallen police officer’s graves, and is also directed towards funding projects and events specifically for the Gloucester community, including a continuing effort to help in the rebuilding of Newell Stadium, purchasing lights for the Little League field on the Boulevard, and help in funding the special needs dances held by the Gloucester Fraternity Club.

Chief Campanello asks us to ” focus on the MIT officer who gave his life and the victims of the explosions. We are very appreciative of all the support the public gives us and their sincere desire to help is very moving. This is what you and the citizens of Gloucester pay us to do and we are honored by that trust.”

Upcoming on July 19th is the Gloucester Police Relief Association annual fundraiser USWF Big Time Wresting Show, held at Talbot Rink. In no way were either Chief Campanello or Officer Duffany soliciting donations. I am suggesting, if you are able, to either stop by the police station to give, or send donations to:

The Gloucester Police Relief Association c/o Officer Scott Duffany

197 Main Street

Gloucester

Thank you!