This past Thursday was a great night in Boston for law enforcement and Red Sox fans! The Red Sox hosted their second annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, where they put on a spectacular tribute to law enforcement. The on-field tribute occurred right before the National Anthem.
During the on field tribute, Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO Craig W. Floyd, former Officers of the Month and many law enforcement involved in the Boston Marathon bombings lined up on the first base line and introduced individually—they even invited the officers’ families down on the field.
In attendance was the Memorial Fund’s November 2012 Officer of the Month, Trooper Douglas Cropper of the Maine State Police, who on saved countless motorists on Route 295 in Portland, Maine, from an individual who was operating a motor vehicle in the wrong direction. Also in attendance was the Memorial Fund’s January 2013 Officer of the Month, Officer Charles Law, of the Stratham (NH) Police Department, who dragged several wounded officers to safety as a result of a gun battle involving a drug dealer in Greenland, NH.
From the Watertown (MA) Police Department: Sergeant John C. MacLellan, Officer Joseph B. Reynolds, Sergeant Jeffrey J. Pugliese, Officer Timothy B. Menton, and Officer Miguel A. Colon, who were all involved in the apprehension of the second Boston Marathon bombing terrorist after a lengthy standoff and gun battle in Watertown. These five Watertown officers were also joined by Chief Edward Deveau, who honored his officers on the field.
Joining them were four Youth Violence Task Force members from the Boston (MA) Police Department who were also involved in the apprehension of the second Boston Marathon bombing suspect in Watertown. They are: Officer Miles Lawton, Officer Gregory McCormack, Officer Gregory Eunis, and Officer Terrique Chambers.
Also in attendance was Massachusetts State Trooper Christopher Dumont, who was significantly involved in the Watertown incident involving the Boston Marathon bombing suspect.
Representing the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Bill Hampstead, Director of Outreach, Chris Shoppmeyer, Vice President of Agency Affairs, Jenna Surwillo, Chapter Officer for the FLEOA Boston Chapter, and Frank Depippo, Chapter President of the FLEOA New Hampshire chapter.
From the Boston (MA) Police Department, Superintendent William Gross and from the Massachusetts State Police, Trooper Kati Downey was in attendance.
After the introduction of the law enforcement officers, there was heartfelt standing ovation from the crowd! Then the Boston (MA) Police Department and Massachusetts Environmental Police Honor Guards presented the colors.
By the end of the night, the Red Sox had triumphed over the Orioles with a score of 3-1. What a great night for Law Enforcement and their friends, family and supporters!