ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Lt. Det. David Gecoya, meets with the police horse that was named after him, and called L.T. for short as part of the Horses and Heroes Foundation.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The Horses and Heroes Foundation honored a member of the Saugus Police Department who rode in to save the day five years ago.
The foundation named a police horse in honor of Saugus Police Lt. Det. David Gecoya Tuesday for his role in the police chase and shootout in 2012. Gecoya was involved in the pursuit of a bank robbery and carjacking suspect from Saugus to Malden. Officers from the Malden Police Department were exchanging gunfire with the suspect when Gecoya arrived and played a crucial role in the detainment of the suspects and bringing others involved to safety.
“I’m just a guy who goes to work every day and happened to be at the wrong place at the right time, that’s all,” said Gecoya.
Both Gecoya and Malden Police Det. Michael Casaletto, who assisted in the chase, received the Medal of Honor, and Malden Police Sgt. Richard Correale, Officer John Delaney and Officer Robert Selfridge received the Medal of Valor.
Gecoya was awarded the 2013 Trooper George L. Hanna Award for bravery, the State of Massachusetts’ highest honor for bravery for his role in the chase. He is the first member of the Saugus Police Department to receive the honor.
The Horses and Heroes Foundation chose to honor Gecoya for his bravery. The 1,400-pound horse, formerly known as Shortie, will be called L.T., but his legal name will be Lt. Det. David Gecoya, said Horses and Heroes Foundation president Skyllar Myllvaney.
The Revere-based foundation honors men and women of law enforcement, first responders, and the armed forces who have died in the line of duty, or have distinguished themselves with bravery and exemplary service to the job.
“I think it’s a great thing that the organization does for police officers,” said Gecoya. “It’s an honor for them to think of me.”
Karen Benson, owner of Indian Rock Stables on Walden Terrace, said she partners with the organization to re-school the animals before they’re dedicated and sent on to serve in law enforcement.
“These horses have at least a 10-year expectancy to stay with an officer,” said Benson. “That horse is their partner.”
Eight-year-old L.T. will travel to Washington D.C. in August to serve in a mounted unit.
“It is a great honor for the Horses and Heroes Foundation to name a police horse after our own Saugus Police Lt. Det. Gecoya,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “Lt. Det. Gecoya’s actions exemplified extreme bravery and we in the Town of Saugus are lucky to have him as a member of our public safety department, working hard to keep our residents safe every day. ”
Gecoya has been with the Saugus Police Department since 1996. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State University and a Master’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England University.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.