Memorial rededication honors fallen officers

LYNN – In the cold and somber rain on Saturday, bagpipes echoed through Pine Grove Cemetery as a procession of nearly 100 members of the Lynn Police Department marched toward the Police Memorial. Honor Guard members stood watch over the site, a Lynn Fire Department contingent, led by Chief James McDonald, snapped to attention and guests and police department retirees rose to their feet.Several fundraising efforts and years of planning have helped to transform the memorial site, which includes a 10-foot granite monument that was originally placed there almost 50 years ago to the day. The monument stands in memory of Lynn police officers killed in the line of duty: Officer James Carroll, June 25, 1910; Officer Frank Quinn, Feb. 16, 1933; Officer Andrew Tufts, March 9, 1958; and Officer Gary Twyman, Oct. 9, 1995, whose family was in attendance for the rededication.In addition to honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, the Lynn Police Relief Association believes there is also an obligation to honor members of the Lynn Police Department who have paved the way for generations of officers after them. As a result, the Relief Association rededicated the memorial to not only pay tribute to the fallen officers, but to also recognize the honor, sacrifice and commitment given by those who dedicated their careers to serving the citizens of Lynn.Each stone within the walkway will be inscribed with the name, years of service and rank of an officer who has served the city. Officers killed in the line of duty will be memorialized with a black mourning stone.At the rededication ceremony, the national anthem was performed by Olivia Avery, daughter of Lynn Sergeant Rob Avery and granddaughter of retired Officer Ken Avery. Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Police Chief Kevin Coppinger and Lynn Police Relief Association President Sergeant Michael Kenny addressed the gathering and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony with Lynn Police Honor Guard members. The Rev. John Healy of St. Pius, the Lynn police chaplain, offered benediction.