PAX Centurion - March / April 2015

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • March/April 2015 • Page 7 Secretary’s Thoughts: Christopher J. Broderick, BPPA Secretary John Moynihan L ast Friday, we were all in some part faced with what could have been one of our worst days as police officers. I think it is fair to say everyone who wears the uniform of a Boston Police Officer, or ever has, felt their heart stop followed by a pit in their stomach on March 27th. By the grace of God the absolute amazing strength, both internal and external, of John Moynihan that pit we all felt is slowly dissipating. John has shown us just how resilient, fear- less and incredible he is. There is a moniker attached to a certain run- ning back in Seattle, I think it is time he cede that nickname to John. Unfortunately with all that happened, all that we as police officers, friends and family of John know about what happened, things do not play out the way we may wish. I know the adornment of the site of the incident leaves a bad taste in all of our mouths. The idea that there is anything redeeming about the person that savagely attacked John and others seems impossible to me. Unfortunately, none of us were asked if we were ok with it or if we thought it was a continuing reminder of a brutal act committed on our Brother. If anyone of us had been asked I’m confident of what our answer would have been. The Department and the City have a broader responsibility than we do and made the decision to allow it in accordance with the policy they have maintained for other such remembrances. We at the BPPA raised the concerns of members. The Department respectfully relayed their decision to us. We do not have to like it but we do have to accept it. I hope by Sunday morning it will no longer be there. On a different note I’d like to express my pride in how everyone has handled themselves since the evening of March 27th. The of- ficers that were there or immediately after are truly heroes whether you were someone that stopped the threat and prevented any further injury or you surrounded John and help him find the strength to fight through the initial shock and pain, you are heroes. If you were one of the many officers that ensured the road was clear so John could get to where he needed to be as quick as he could… you too are heroes. The dispatcher (who did an amazing job), The EMTs, the doctors, and nurses are all heroes. I want to thank all the reps that responded and helped, Pat, Mike, Bobby, Larry, and I. There is no way under circumstances like those we all faced that night could things go perfect but truthfully I don’t think it could of gone much smoother. Another big part of that was how the command staff allowed the investigators to handle the scene. The FDIT Team and others involved were respectful of the officers in- volved and patient with how each communicated the fact pattern to them. I truly ap- preciate the way they treated members, both that evening and through the progression of the investigation. I also want to recognize the show of support and soli- darity shown by those officers that work with John in theYVSF, those that worked with him in 11, his academy classmates, his friends on “the job”, and those officers that may have never met John, steams of officers have stopped into the hospital to check on John. The phones have not stopped ring- ing with members asking what they can do and checking on John’s recovery. I know it is a great comfort to John and his family to know how much support he has. John may not be “out of the woods” yet as far as healing and recovery goes but he has chosen his path and he will not have to take a single step alone. Justin Quinn O n March 18, 2015 we lost a beloved Honorary Member of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association. Justin Quinn lost his battle to cancer. For those of us that had the privilege of spending time with Justin knows he was one of the greatest supporters of police officers. Justin came from a long line of police officers. He under- stood what our job was about. Justin was recognized by Mayo r MartyWalsh at City Hall and that day, December 11, 2014, was declared Justin Quinn Day in the City of Boston. Justin was also welcomed into the Boston Police De- partment by members of District 1 and other officers as an Honorary Member. The BPPA began a relationship with Justin and his family and felt honored when Justin accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Member of the BPPA. Justin was presented with a plaque and proc- lamation. The people who truly received a gift were the members of the BPPA. We became a better organization having a man of Justin’s character in our union. Police Week in Washington, DC O n Tuesday, May 12 th , Boston Police Officers Ryan Lenane and Billy Traft, as well as Sergeant Joe Teahan, will be recognized by the National Association of Police Organizations at the 22 nd An- nual TOP COPS Ceremony inWashington, DC. OnWednesday, May 13 th , Boston Police Officer Dennis O. Sim- monds will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial during PoliceWeek inWashington DC If you are a member of the BPPA and are planning on attending one or both of these events please contact the BPPA so we can coordinate our participation. BPPA Food Trailer W ith better weather on the horizon there will be more opportunities to use the food trailer. Please let us know of any events in the community that participation would reflect positively on the BPPA and its membership, please let us know. We will not be able to be part of every community event but with volun- See Secretary on page 22