PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Lt. J. Paul Manley speaks at the Nahant Village Church’s breakfast to bring together the police department and the community on Friday morning.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
NAHANT — The breakfast at the Nahant Village Church was about more than just eggs and bacon.
Calvin and Marrit Hastings hold the monthly gatherings at the Nahant Village Church to bring residents together over coffee. But this time neighbors took the time to thank the boys — and girl — in blue.
“I woke up one night and realized it’s a great opportunity to do something special for our police officers,” he said. “When you get to know them, you realize they are a group of really special guys.”
Friday’s meal was held to honor the 22 men and one woman, Officer Sarah Vincent, on the police force.
Chief Robert Dwyer asked each member of the department to introduce themselves to the 80 people who attended to show their support.
“You may not see what we do day in and day out but as chief of the department, I assure you that anytime you call the police, we will be there,” Dwyer said.
The breakfast comes a month after a deadly attack on police in Dallas when a lone gunman killed five officers in what authorities called a sniper ambush at the end of a peaceful protest against nationwide officer-involved shootings.
“We’re trained to protect life, not take one,” Dwyer said. “When officers are involved in a fatal shooting, his or her life will change, as well as their families. Police officers leave their family hoping they come home at the end of the shift.”
There has been an increase in firearm-related deaths and officers killed by traffic accidents in the country, he said.
Dwyer recalled two members of the department who were killed in the line of duty. Sergeant John O’Connor suffered a fatal heart attack after trying to restrain a suspect during a booking in 1961.
“He finally got control of him and the phone was ringing,” Dwyer said. “He went upstairs to answer the phone and he dropped dead of a massive heart attack.”
In 1934, Officer Peter Tierney was assaulted by a boxer when he responded to a disturbance. He was punched in his head and knocked unconscious, suffered a fractured skull and embolism on the brain. Tierney died 12 days later.
“These are very tough times for police officers,” said Officer Armand Conti. “To get support like this is very humbling. Behind each officer you see here, we have families, families who don’t get to see us. Families who love us and care about us. We are a 24-hour operation. It’s an honor and privilege to serve everyone in this town.”
Officer Noah Clark said the showing of support means a lot to him, especially during this time.
“I’ve never worked somewhere that if I see a town sticker on a car, I know I’m getting a wave,” said Officer David Driscoll.
The Council on Aging presented a poster with hand-written notes from seniors, thanking the officers for their service. Another attendee read a poem.
“I couldn’t have been happier to be invited here,” said Lt. Paul Manley. “To know the community has come out to support us like this, you don’t know how good it feels.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.