Police Officer returns from Middle East tour to warm Lynn welcome

LYNN – More than two dozen of Mike Tortorise’s friends, family and fellow Lynn Police officers braved Saturday’s rain to welcome home the 2nd class U.S. Navy Boatswain Mate from his seven-month tour of duty in the Middle East.They lined the family’s Carter Road residence in umbrellas and rain jackets, cheering as a four-car police detail escorted Mike Tortorise and his wife, Jennifer Tortorise, back home. A welcome-home sign fluttered in the rain and a new Ford Explorer, a gift from his wife, decorated the driveway, wrapped in a shiny red bow.”We just wanted to show him our appreciation and how much we love him,” said Mike Tortorise’s mother-in-law, Maureen Woodbury.Mike Tortorise, 28, joined the Lynn Police Department a year ago but only served five weeks on the force before the U.S. Navy called him for duty on an island off the United Arab Emirates. He and his wife had just sold their condominium in Groveland and moved in with Jennifer Tortorise’s parents when Mike Tortorise had to suddenly leave his job and kiss his newlywed goodbye.Jennifer Tortorise, who will celebrate her fourth year of marriage with her husband this August, said she is thrilled to have her husband back after seven long months.”Anytime I had a bad day, I just had to remember that I was so proud of him and all the sacrifices he was making,” she said.Erica DiFillipo, Jennifer Tortorise’s friend and colleague at a local dentist office, said the separation was difficult on Jennifer Tortorise because she and Mike Tortorise have such a strong relationship.”They’re just one of those couples that you see, ?Wow they’re meant to be and they’re so happy,'” she said. “And they just can’t care enough about each other.”DiFillipo said her friend would speak with her husband almost every day on Skype. And Erin Dunwell, Jennifer Tortorise’s sister, said the family kept Jennifer Tortorise busy to try and keep her mind off her husband’s departure.But all of that was a distant memory Saturday as the rain poured down outside the Woodbury home and Mike Tortorise hugged his in-laws, fellow police officers and friends, all of whom kept the welcome-home party a surprise.”I was very surprised. It’s awesome. It’s awesome. It really is,” he said, searching for words as he stepped into the home, his fatigues dripping water onto the wood floor. “It’s hard to put it in perspective right now.”Mike Tortorise said he is excited to get back to work as a police officer, a job he said he knows will be difficult but rewarding.”It’s a big challenge and I love challenges,” he said. “And it’s a fulfilling job; it’s one of those things that you get to give back.”Lynn Police Detective Steve Pohle said Mike Tortorise will be a welcome and needed addition to the force.”Mike is a good guy. He’s a kind person, he’s low key, he’s what we need,” Pohle said.Amber Parcher can be reached at [email protected].