Patriots owner pays surprise visit to honor fallen police officer
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft visited the Weymouth, Massachusetts, Police Department to pay his respects to Officer Michael Chesna, 42, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Sunday.
Chesna was chasing a suspect, identified by authorities as Emanuel Lopes, who crashed his car and fled on foot. The suspect then fatally shot Chesna, reported MassLive.
Chesna died later that morning in South Shore Hospital from gunshot wounds.
https://twitter.com/BorderNarcotics/status/1019192193670496256
Chesna leaves behind a wife and two children.
A bystander, 77-year-old Vera Adams, was also killed by the suspect, according to WBUR-FM in Boston. Lopes is in custody and reportedly will be arraigned this week on murder charges.
BREAKING: @Patriots owner Robert Kraft just walked into @WeymouthPD to offer condolences after one of their officers was shot & killed in the line of duty today. More @boston25 #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/gPuTRNpjmH
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) July 15, 2018
Chesna was a U.S. Army veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded a Bronze Star.
“Officer Chesna has been an Army veteran, and in fact, I was speaking with his mom this morning, and she told me that he joined the military to help open the doors for him to get on this job. He was successful with that. … He was just a great family man, he was a great officer,” Weymouth Police Chief Richard Grimes said.
Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna was shot & killed w:his own weapon this AM when he tried to capture a suspect vandalizing a home. He served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan. His death is a senseless tragedy & I ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/dfxe04poiv
— Charlie Baker (@CharlieBakerMA) July 15, 2018
Kraft showed up at the Weymouth Police Department to pay his respects. He was carrying an envelope with him as he met with Grimes.
“Just terrible”- #Patriots Owner Robert Kraft visited @WeymouthPD to offer support. More on #wcvb at 6pm pic.twitter.com/ZCsNpH5jbw
— Sera Congi (@seracongi) July 15, 2018
“In brief remarks, Kraft told reporters the killing of Chesna was ‘horrible,’ and in an apparent reference to the willingness of police officer to face deadly hazards every day, he added, ‘This is what makes the country great,'” reported the Boston Herald.
Vigil for slain Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna and 77yr old Vera Adams at Weymouth High School @WBUR pic.twitter.com/ePrcGH6zTm
— Yasmin Amer (@yasminamer) July 16, 2018
Kudos to Kraft for a classy move.
A fund has been set up by the Weymouth Police to support Chesna’s family, reported Boston.com. Donations can be dropped off at the police station or can be mailed to payable to the Weymouth Police Station at 140 Winter Street, Weymouth, MA 02188. Checks should be made payable to the OFFICER MICHAEL CHESNA FAMILY FUND.
Our prayers go out to the families of the victims and the community.
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