Officers Killed In Line Of Duty Honored In Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - A moving tribute to fallen Massachusetts Police officers was held in Boston Wednesday.
New names were added to the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial, commemorating more than 360 officers who died in the line of duty. And two men killed just this year received special recognition for their sacrifice and that of their families.
All the names were read in a roll call of the fallen, most engraved on a memorial next to the State House; a tribute to the sacrifices of so many.
"It's a part of us when we see an officer go down. A part of us goes down as well," says Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, one of the speakers at the ceremony.
And with each name there is a story and a family left behind. "We remember the bravery and dedication of Trooper Clardy, and Officer Tarentino," said Attorney General Maura Healey.
State Trooper Thomas Clardy, 44 years old, was killed in March of this year when a speeding car slammed into his cruiser. "It shows us that there's still compassion in the world. I know my husband would be very proud, looking down and seeing the support that everybody's given to us," says Reisa Clardy, the trooper's widow.
And 42-year-old Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino, who was shot and killed at a traffic stop in May was also remembered.
"It's a great tribute to my son," says Ronald Tarentino, Sr.
"As much as it hurts, it helps to get through it. It's been phenomenal," says Tarentino's mother, Sharon Tarentino.
The names of Trooper Clardy and Officer Tarentino will be added to the memorial next year.
To read brief stories about all the law enforcement officials honored on the memorial go to Mass Law Enforcement Memorial: http://mlemf.org/
