PAX Centurion - Spring 2019

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Spring 2019 • Page 19 Terrible losses from 2018 Sudden, unexpected deaths rattle the Department L ife is too short, you always hear this. This is a cliché expression, but one that rings true for most of us. You start your career young and vibrant, and as you look around you see seasoned veterans in the room. You say to yourself, “this will be me someday but not today.” You are full of vigor and ready to go out in to the world and make a difference. You all took the same oath and this is what most of you answered when asked why do you want to be a cop. Most seasoned officers will tell you it is a thankless profession with the thank you(s) coming few and far in between. Regardless, you took the job and fully understood the drawbacks and were willing to make the sacrifice. For some of us the task came with ease, while for others it was a struggle. Policing is not as easy a job as some may think, but this is why they gave us a gun-belt, right? Let’s get back to life is too short. It’s amazing how you go from the youngest officer in the room to the eldest. Over the years you watched as one-by-one some of your fellow officers succumbed to either health issues, killed in the line of duty, killed by accident or killed by one’s self. Pictures are hung in guard rooms in memoriam and life goes on minus one more officer. Area C suffered a few losses this past year. P.O. Joseph Lomuscio passed away from a heart attack while touring Europe with his wife, Mary, in the midst of what must have been a long-overdue dream vacation. For those of us who knew Joe most would describe him as a big teddy bear with a huge smile. Usually a smile like that would get you kicked out of MOP. Just kidding! He always had a pleasant disposition and a heart of gold. Agood friend and family man who would use his body as a shield to protect those he loved and cared for. You couldn’t ask for a better back-up than Joe. He will be sorely missed amongst his fellow officers. The most recent loss was of fellow officer David Holleran . This sent shock waves through C-11 officers who worked side by side with Dave. He would always have a tough exterior but underneath he was a kind and gentle person. Dave would give you the shirt off his back. This job can really wreck you physically and mentally if you are not paying attention. Some would say the long hours and being ordered can do a number on you. I believe this is true in light of some of our most recent losses. Dave will also be missed amongst his fellow officers. We also lost Billy Shaw who was a staple at the Boston PoliceAcademy. Billy always had a kind word for everyone and was always smiling when you saw him. Seeing Billy was one of the few pleasures of being assigned academy training. P.O. Mike Duggan and I go way back to City Hall days. He was always kind and generous to those who knew him. I was very saddened to hear of his passing. P.O. Daniel Bausmer was well respected by all those who knew him. He’d always ask his fellow officers, “do you have option D?” This got him a nickname amongst some of his coworkers of Dan “Option D” Bausmer. Please pray for all these officers and their families. Life truly is too short and we need to enjoy ourselves and those around us. RIPmy good friends. Not two days after hearing of Joe Lomuscio’s death tragedy would strike again as word of Lieutenant George Collier’s passing came out. For those who knew him all would say he was a good friend and caring person. For most of us with this tragedy we are once again asking the question of “why?” We are always saddened when we hear the circumstances of tragedies like this when it comes to one of “our own”. Most if not all of George’s family and friends would tell you he was the least likely person they would expect to succumb in this manner. We, as officers, never like to talk about the subject, but unfortunately in our profession rears its head more so than in other jobs. This job makes you hard and unwilling to reach out for help for fear of being labeled. No one wants to walk around with an albatross draped on their neck. Between unrelenting pride and being stigmatized we choose not to ask for help which in the end for some can be fatal. We have a great Peer Support Unit that is recognized nationally for the fine job they do. We all have insurance and can talk with other professionals if need be, but I feel our Peer Support Unit is the finest for those of us who may be struggling with depression. I know for some survivors left behind from these tragedies it has been hard. The Peer Support Unit is there for them as well. Kelly Rogers who lost her brother, Pat Rogers, will tell you she never saw this coming. Always the wondering of what could I have done to prevent this? Sometimes we see it coming and can do nothing at all. Kelly now speaks to new recruit classes about this subject in hopes of avoiding further tragedies. We have lost so many over the years in this manner and none are ever easy to take. As I was penning this article I was told that George’s brother took his life in the same manner as George. On behalf of the BPPAand all our members, our sincere heartfelt condolences to all of the families mentioned above, especially the Collier Family. By Mark A. Bruno David Holleran Joseph Lomuscio William Shaw Michael Duggan Daniel Bausmer George Collier “ ” Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public. – H.L. Mencken