PAX Centurion - Fall 2016

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Fall 2016 • Page 39 Dick (Doctor) Ronan, J.J. Brown, Frank Morrissey, Late Mike Morrissey, James (“Hamy”) Hamilton, Late Rick Ingersoll, Joe Brady, Late Leon Buckley, Erica (Israel) Bradley, Willie Bradley, George Cardoza, RandyWoodley, Kenny Peters, Dave Hurley, Joe Travis, Joe Crowley, Ellen Stone, Ronnie Myers, Teddy Hendricks, George Thomas, Jack Leman, Late Richie Bourque, Patrick Duffy, Jerome Thomas, Beverly Parham, Jerry Riley, Dennis McKenna, Barney Olson, Joe Grey, Dino Gonzales, Curtis Carroll, Late William (Oakie) O’Connor, Late Richie Martin, Carol Hullum, Val Johnson, Sandra Springer, Heather MacKenzie, Charlie Manning, Tammy (Jackson) Espinola-Hodge, Late Sandra Rucker Jones, Warren Morrissey, Late Medaline (Lopez) Figueroa, Late John Ennis, BobbyAllen, Late Ernest (Timmy) Kincade, James Fitzgerald, Late John Fitzgerald, Terry O’Neil, John Disciullo, Bob Boyle, EddieWhite and Sammy Gaughan. I am sure that I have left someone out and for that I am sorry. These people along with some memorable Supervisors, Ridlon, Driscoll, Georgilis, Gifford and Higgins to name a few that have passed through Operations have given me memories I will trea- sure the rest of my life. As I said this piece was brought forth to highlight a period of history within the Boston Police Department. They used to call Operations – “The Rubber Gun Squad,” but this was a place where an officer could come and learn a skill after being placed “out injured” or for some other reason. Many came because they wanted something new in their career, others were sent but what we all got was a “camaraderie” that can never be duplicated. “This is Boston Operations KCA860 Boston Police on all chan- nels at 14:24 hours wishing you all the best and signing off.” On Saturday , September 17, from 1 to 6 p.m. we had two great events at C11. During the first event we dedicated six new plaques and rededicated one plaque on our Memorial Wall. The new plaques were dedicated for Sherman Griffiths, Edwin Kenneally, Jay Greene, Patrick Donovan, Michael Baker and Richard Clancy. The rededication was for Joseph Zanoli.  We had a great turnout, between the families and friends of our fallen brothers, Officers, both current and retired and their families, politicians and members of our command staff we had between 150 and 200 people in our parking lot and station. We were all there to pay respect and honor seven Officers that were all taken from us too soon. The second event was the first annual C11 Family Day. There was a bouncy house, bouncy obstacle course, dunk tank, oversized games of Connect Four and Operation, a basketball shootout game, a face painter, a ballon artist, games and contests, music, and food and drinks.  A fun time was had by all, both young and old. It was great to see Officers that have moved on from C11 and catch up. It was nice to finally meet the husbands, wives and children of the men and women that we work with on a daily basis. It was a great day all around, from the weather to the food to the activities. I hope we get an even better turnout next year. Let me get into why I feel these two events were so important. It is very important to honor those that came before us and those that left us to soon. There is a lot to learn from the men who we honored that day. They were all great Officers and great guys in their own way.  I feel the job we all do, day in and day out, is more dangerous now then it has ever been. Without getting into the politics I will say we are being verbally abused from the community, the media, C11 Memorial Wall Plaque Dedication and Family Day By P.O. Jimmy Doiron, C11 the politicians, and at times our own department. There have been Officers that have been physically attacked and even murdered for no other reason than they put on the same uniform that we do. We have become the scapegoats for all that is wrong in our world. It is important that we show everyone that we are human beings that hurt, that miss, that love and that go through all the same emotions as everyone else. We are members of the same communities that they are.  There is an unspoken bond that builds in our job. That bond that lets you know that the guy or girl next to you has your back. There is no better way to build that bond than through camaraderie. I hope these events helped show the families of our fallen Officers that they themselves as well as their Officers are important to us and will not be forgotten. I hope these events helped build that camaraderie and bring us closer together. I hope these events showed the members of the Dorchester community that walked by and looked into our parking lot that we are just like them. That we have families that we love. That we are normal human beings that like to have fun and relax with our friends. More than any other reason I hope everyone had a chance to relax and have some fun.  There is a long list of people I would like to thank for helping out and making these events great successes. In no particular order they are: the men and women of C11, past and present, the leadership of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, Detective’s See C11 on page 52