PEABODY — On what would have been his 41st birthday, Henry Breckenridge, the unofficial “mayor of Peabody,” was celebrated Sunday at a fundraiser for a scholarship named in his honor.
Breckenridge, a Peabody police officer for seven years, died of complications from a non-emergency surgery on July 20. His passing rocked the city, with fond remembrances of Breckenridge coming from friends, family, co-workers, and, it seemed, anyone he ever interacted with.
The fundraiser Sunday was organized by Ward 4 City Councilor Julie Daigle and hosted at Stanzy’s Country Ranch on Main Street, which seemed filled to the brim. A number of items were being auctioned off at the event, with proceeds going to the scholarship fund, including two bottles of Weller bourbon, signed sports memorabilia, and even an autographed photo of Taylor Swift. A 50/50 raffle was also held.
In the wake of Breckenridge’s death, the Peabody Local 925, the union representing the city’s fire department, began selling a T-Shirt bearing Breckenridge’s name on the back. Since the sale began in late July, the union has already raised close to $40,000.
Peabody Police Chief Tom Griffin said it was a “special feeling” to see the sheer number of people that showed up to celebrate Breckenridge and show their support for his family.
“Henry was quite the individual,” Griffin said. “He meant a lot to the department and the city … [he] was a special guy.”
Matt McKinnon, who was Breckenridge’s roommate for five years, said the event was an important opportunity to celebrate the man who meant so much to so many.
“We’re all here [to] share our laughs, share our cries,” he said.
For the event, McKinnon donned a T-shirt mimicking a dictionary definition for the name Henry.
It read, in part, “the best person you’ll ever meet.”
