Back in 1994, I was a freshman in HS. Started thinking what I might want to be when I grow up so I can start studying in the field. I chose to go into business.
My girlfriend at the time (now my wife!) used to think I was crazy due to me going out of my way to help people in need. On new years of 94 on our way home from a family get together we witnessed a large MVAccident and the car began to smoke up. I had her stop the car and informed her to dial 911. I ran to the car and opened the door and spoke to the driver and the operator to see if they were OK. Both were extremely intoxicated. I questioned if they could feel any type of pain anywhere and if they could exit the MV. The driver managed to exit the door and I assisted him away from the MV. The female passenger was too afraid of exiting the MV and I assisted her out due to the smoke. It was only after I got both occupants out of the MV that I noticed the MV's engine area was on fire. It sent chills down my spine. My girlfriend began yelling at me about the danger I put myself in. This was just a natural thing for me. |
A few months later I was watching my local new channel and a Report came in that a local officer was shot in Fall River serving parking passes for a local feast. This was a feast that my family and I go to every year. I ended up watching the Funeral Procession on TV and seeing the family of the fallen HERO. It made me think of my girlfriend who yelled at me that day a few months earlier. But I was young and just remembered Mr. Thomas J Giunta and his family in my prayers. | 
Officer Thomas J Giunta |
A few years later I graduated HS, Joined the MA National Guard, and attended College at Bridgewater State College in MA. Still in school for business.
On 8/11/00 my life changed as did the lives of several other people in my community. My girlfriend and I attended a festival called Fall River Celebrates America. As we walked into the festival I noticed a commotion starting and an Officer jump a stone wall with other officers following behind. The officer, Ptlm. Richard Magan fell off a short platform area behind the wall that went down 15+ feet to a set of railroad tracks and hit his head on those tracks ending his life. My wife and I, due to the amount of people gathered around, backed away from the scene to make room for Medical and Officers responding. I did not know at the time what had happened to the officer, if he was still alive or had passed away. It was when I returned home that I found out that Ptlm Magan had passed away. The day of his funeral I put on my Class A Dress Uniform issued to me by the Army and went to pay my respect to the fallen HERO. |
Officer Richard Magan |
As I drove to the cemetery I started to cry. I started to think why I didn’t go down to try and help him. I was one of the first to see him go over. I thought of his family. There were thousands of people all along the procession route. There were several departments there. As I walked, I spoke to many officers waiting for the casket to pass. I realized I was standing next to HERO's. The procession turned the corner about a quarter of a mile away and came towards where I was standing. I stood there with another officer next to me and we sharply saluted the motorcade as it passed. A feeling came over me that I have never felt. I never knew Mr. Magan but at that moment I felt he was a part of everything I believe in. Selfless service, respect, honor, duty, willingness to sacrifice oneself for the good of others. He truly was a HERO.
Officers then went to the cemetery and stood in formation by department. It was the most extraordinary site. The bag pipes began playing. I stood aside of the formation and witnessed thousands of brothers and sisters in uniform pay their final respects to a brother in which many of us never knew. We all shared our tears with his family and his fellow officer of the Fall River PD shared their stories with all that did not know Ptlm. Richard Magan. It was a day that changed my life forever.
That year I talked to my girlfriend and told her that I was thinking about going into Law Enforcement. There was MA State Police exam for a Trooper position in January and I applied to take the exam. I studied and took the exam. 100 positions were available, 18000 people took the exam. I didn't get the job. (lol) But that didn't stop me. I kept Ptlm. Giunta and Magan on my mind and in my prayers and they helped keep my drive alive.
I became a volunteer Auxiliary Police Officer in the Fall River PD where both officers worked. I got to meet several of the officers that worked right aside these two HERO's. In January of 2003 I told my wife that I applied to the Swansea Police Department as a Reserve Officer and got the position. I became a full time dispatcher with this department and a part time Patrolman. It was a very proud day in my life when they gave me my badge. We went home after the ceremony and I took a drive to the cemetery that both officers were buried. Still in uniform, I saluted the two officer and asked them to always be with me and my family, for I was about to start a job that these brave HEROs inspired me to do. I touched their names and badge that were engraved on the head stone and promised that they will never be forgotten.
Today is 10/24/04. In December of this year the Fall River Police Department will be sending me to a full time academy to be Police Officer in the same department these HEROs worked for. I know that the passing of these HEROs brought grate grief and sorrow to many, but at the same time it gave others a sense of gratitude and direction.
To the Families of these Fallen HEROs: Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. All of you are an inspiration as are your HEROs. My prayers are and always will be with you. Every time my uniform goes on I say a prayer. I pray for you and your family, for the fallen officers to protect and look over me, and that one day I will be able to meet these HEROs and tell them that I helped make this world just a little better just like they did.
God Bless all of the Officers on this Memorial and God be with all of their families.
Officer Kevin P. Lopes
Swansea Police Department
|
|
Officer Name: Thomas Giunta and Richard Magnan
Officer Department: Fall River Police Department
City: Fall River, MA
End of Watch: TG 8/24/94; RM 8/11/00
To submit your Personal Tribute Story, click here.
|
