PAX Centurion - Special Edition 2013

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Special Boston Marathon Bombing Issue 2013 • Page 19 F irst and foremost, I want to say to each and everyone of you, outstanding work and great job. In my almost 19 years on the job, I have never been more proud to say I am a Boston cop than I have been the last few weeks. OnApril 15, 2013, terrorism came to Boston. It came in the form of two fools who had no idea what they were really doing. Two selfish, spoiled idiots who thought we would lay down and roll up into a ball. What they didn’t realize or understand was that along that route were men and women in blue uniforms, with silver and gold badges who would never allow them to win! On that day, I saw the best in our Department, the EMS, the BFD and the citizenry. All of whom came together and selflessly charged towards the victims, despite the underlying possibility that other devices may be present. There were only two cowards on Boylston St. that day. Rather what I saw was literally hundreds of heroes. Coward #1 is dead and Coward #2 is locked up like an animal and will undoubtedly die that way. Over the next several days, we all worked countless hours. We had our kids’ school vacation stolen. But we remained strong. Our friends from NewYork came to our side to help in any way they could. The President came and we stood watch, daring them to try something else. Then on Thursday night we heard the call we most fear. MIT Police Officer Sean Collier was ambushed and killed by these cowards. They wanted his pistol, but were too dumb to figure out his safety holster. They carjacked a car and made their way towardsWatertown. Due to the fact that the investigation is still going on, I will refrain from the details. I will say I was in the right place at the right time. I only did what each and every one of you would have done if you were on Laurel St. And that brings me to the reason for the letter. This letter is not about what I did, but about what WE did, and what you’ve done for me after that night. I want to say to all of you, THANKYOU! Thank you for easing my heart and mind on Friday by catching Coward #2. I wanted him to be found dead, that makes me human. But YOU didn’t kill him and drag his body through the streets, like their ilk did in Benghazi, Mogadishu or Iran. And that makes us AMERICANS! That makes us better than them. They attacked us, they killed and maimed our children. They attacked our friends and families. And we did our job! YOU caught him and WE will bring him to justice. I want to thank you for the support you’ve given me in the days since. I literally cannot keep my phone charged, due to all of the phone calls, text messages and e-mails I’ve received, and continue to receive. In no way do I mean to leave anyone out, and if I do I apologize in advance. There are a few people I feel I must mention – John Moynihan and Walter Suprey who were with me that night in the VK05, John Noberini of D-14, Ryan Stanton and Michael Rea of the Harvard University PD, and Chris Dumont of the MSP. There’s been a lot written and said about my efforts to assist Transit Officer Dic Donohue. I want it to be known that it was a total TEAM EFFORT. These six guys did as much and probably more than I did in making sure that Dic survived. I visited P.O. Donohue this past Saturday, 4/27/13, and am proud to report that he was up and walking, taking ten steps with a walker. From that point on Thursday, so many walked up and said, “Are you OK. Great job,” so that unfortunately I cannot remember them all. A few I must thank personally. From the YVSF – Jamie Conley and Taylor Small. They were directed to stay with me and they refused to leave my side until I left the scene a few hours later. This despite the natural desire to get in on the hunt that was underway for Coward #2. My first partner and classmate Terry Joyce from C-6 who put his hand on my shoulder and calmly said, AVery Personal Thank You “Are you hurt?What do you need?” I didn’t need anything, but I knew if I did, he’d have gotten it for me. Also from theYVSF, Lt. Bailey, Sgt. Cogavin and Sgt. Det. Earl Perkins who got me away from the mob of people who naturally had 100 questions for me. None of whom were doing anything malicious, they were just being cops. I want to thank Kenny Conley, D-14 DCU, who despite having been through an extremely harrowing event, that I did not even find out about until the next day, had but one concern, my welfare. The two EMTs from H&H whose name I don’t know who allowed me to be stubborn and stay on the scene for several hours, because I didn’t want to leave until Coward #2 was caught. They were understanding and professional. Also, Sgt. Det. KevinWagget and Jason Nunez of D-14 DCU, who despite also being directly involved were more concerned with my wellbeing than their own. Also from theYVSF, I’d like to thank Greg McCormack, Dennis Simmons and Jean Jean-Louis, who had the confidence and trust in me to reach out for my help after their involvement on Thursday night. I hope I was able to help. The last thing I want to say about that night is this, and I want to make it very clear, I was absolutely NOT mistreated by anyone from the Boston Police Department, up to and including the highest levels of the Command Staff. I had a description of Coward #2 and it needed to be put out forthwith! That is all anyone asked of me. Any rumors or stories to the contrary are false. Over the next few days, the calls, text messages and e-mails came from all over the department. From literally every rank from Patrolman on up. I hope I replied to all of them, if I am remiss I hope I will reply as soon as I can. Some have called or texted me daily, in no particular order, my partner Tommy Noto, Danny Griffin, Lt. Bailey, Bobby Boyle, Sgt. Fleming, Kenny Conley and Sgt. Det. Keeler. Without prying or asking too much, they have asked, “AreYou OK?” or “How are you doing?”When I replied “I’m good,” they let it go. From the BPPA, I want to thank my classmate and friend Pat Rose, who despite being the senior Union official on the scene at that time, was trying to juggle about 60 things at once, was still most concerned that we were OK, and being taken care of.You were once again “The Commander,” as we called you in theAcademy. Attorneys Tom Drechsler and KenAnderson, whose sound advice and calm demeanor made the interview process seem like nothing at all. I want to add that the day after my interview, Ken called me to see if I was OK. Not as my attorney, but as a friend. A friend who heard my account of Thursday firsthand and was worried about me. I cannot say enough about what a classy a guy and how great a human being he is. Lastly, my great friend and former partner Chris Broderick, who stayed with me in the ambulance when I was making jokes one second and being overcome with emotions after being told (incorrectly, Thank God!) that P.O. Donohue had succumbed to his wounds. Chris sat with me at the hospital and then took me home. I’ll leave it at that. Those of you who are familiar with our relationship will understand why, if I say any more, I’m sure I’ll hear about it later. As long as he’s a part of it, I’m sure that the BPPA’s future is extremely bright! Lastly, I don’t have the words (I have longevity, not the Quinn Bill) to properly describe how proud I am of all of you, how proud I am to work with you, how proud I am to be your Brother and your Friend. And how proud I am of our City and of this Department. God willing, the worst days are behind us now, but I will never forget that week and all that WE did! Semper Fidelis, P.O. Rick Moriarty