PAX Centurion - January / February 2015

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • January/February 2015 • Page 17 An honored guest By Mark A. Bruno O n December 11, 2015, Boston City Hall andAreaA-1 were graced with the presence of Justin Quinn who was made an Honorary member of the Boston Police Depart- ment. Justin who is special has long admired our profession. His Dad, Thomas Quinn, is a Detective in the Town of Gloucester. This special day started with a motorcade escort from Gloucester which included many local and State Police. The motorcade made its way from the North Shore all the way to Boston City Hall. The entourage was taken upstairs to meet Mayor MartinWalsh. Justin Quinn was taken to the City Council Chamber where the day was dedicated in his honor. Justin always wanted to meet the Mayor of Boston. He also lis- tens in on a police scanner to all our calls. His dream is to be a part of our police team and on this day he would get his wish. Our guest of honor and his parents were whisked off toArea A-1 where Captains Kenneth Fong and Kelley McCormick had every unit and available detail officer report to the guard room to help welcome him. A ceremony was conducted by Command Staff and Justin Quinn was made an Honorary Boston Police Of- ficer. He was given a call sign and logged on with our dispatcher. All the Officers lined up in ranks and saluted the new member of their team. One by one the officers walked up and shook Justin’s hand to welcome him. All officers complimented what a remarkable young man Justin is. A group picture was taken in which Justin was beam- ing from ear to ear as he stood with his fellow officers. Justin thanked all the officers who welcomed him. Thomas Quinn spoke and choked back the tears as he explained how special Justin is to him and his wife who was also overcome with emo- tion. Every officer in that room understood the unconditional love these two parents had for their son. This day meant so much to Justin and his parents that finding the right words to thank everyone were difficult to say without the emotion. I talked to Thomas Quinn briefly and he explained that Justin has been a frequent visitor to the Dana Farber Hospital for various treatments. He told me Justin’s other wish was to go swimming with dolphins and that the Make-a-Wish Foundation was going to help with this wish. On behalf of the Quinn Family I would like to thank all three of our police unions (BPPA, DBA, BPSOF) for your gener- osity in this matter. All of my brothers and sisters in blue stepped up once again with an act of kindness that will long be remembered by an honored guest and his family. Justin and I have corresponded via e-mail. He told me of his trip to Florida and his swim with the dolphins. He always e-mails me when he is going for his treatments at Dana Farber. He is a remark- able young man who has touched the hearts of many with his sincere smile and kindness. Thank you to all my fellow officers for making Justin Quinn Day special.