"Sometimes Life Breaks Your Heart"

Senator Ted Kennedy spoke those words at a memorial service for nine firefighters who had died in a devastating warehouse fire in Worchester back in September of 1999. Those words came back to me yesterday when I heard of the tragic death of Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna.  This forty-one year old husband, father of two small children, son, and brother was only thirty minutes away from the end of his shift when he was killed in the line of duty at 7:45a.m. on Sunday.  He had served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan only to lose his life on the streets of his hometown.

Vera Adams, a seventy-seven year old woman who neighbors said enjoyed sipping her morning coffee each day on her sunporch, was also killed when a bullet pierced one of her windows.  Both were remembered tonight at a vigil on the field at the high school. The bleachers were filled and the field ringed with people of all ages. News reports indicate that 3,500 people were in attendance.

It was an amazing outpouring of support for the fallen officer,  the innocent bystander, and the men and women of the Weymouth police force. Officer Chesna's mother thanked the thousands in attendance and remarked she had never been prouder of her hometown; I felt the same way. 

At the end of the service, the police chief announced that Officer Chesna would be posthumously awarded the rank of sergeant today on what would have been the sixth anniversary of his having joined the force.

On the way home, I spotted many blue ribbons and blue lights on porches throughout town. Hopefully that small gesture and the tremendous turnout tonight will bring a small measure of comfort to the members of our grieving police force.

The Weymouth Police Department has set up a fund to benefit the family of Officer Michael Chesna.  Anyone who wishes to donate may make out a check payable to the OFFICER MICHAEL CHESNA FAMILY FUND and mail or drop off the check at the Weymouth Police Station at 140 Winter Street, Weymouth, MA 02188.