Community Rallies For Police, Officers Rally for their Citizens in Epic Valley Event Wednesday (7-20)

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 ORIGINAL STORY

In the wake of the executions of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Police officers, family members, and police survivors (families of officers killed in the line of duty) are holding a rally to support law enforcement, and honor the lives of the executed officers. The event is being held at Methuen (Massachusetts) High School, Wednesday, July 20th, in the back parking lot.

The event is being coordinated by Methuen Police Chief  Joe Solomon and Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan, Jr. The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers from law enforcement, police families, and police survivors. 

“This rally really has two purposes,” Duggan said. “We want to rally the community to come and show our law enforcement officers that their lives matter, and we appreciate them putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.”

“Secondly, Chief Solomon came up with the idea of using this as an opportunity for officers from all over the area to meet with, and talk with the public. He saw that the community was coming out to support his officers and wanted to make sure the public knows they are here to listen their concerns as well.”

solomon“We have a really impressive list of speakers,” Solomon added. “But, I want to make it really clear, we are not just coming to speak, we are coming to listen.” 

“The caliber of Law Enforcement Officials who have put their schedules aside to attend this event on less than 10 days notice, shows just how seriously everyone in the law enforcement family is taking all of this.”

“We’ve had an amazing response from the public, and from the Law Enforcement community,” Duggan said. “I think if people come, listen to the speakers, meet and talk with them after, this can be one of the most positive things to happen in the Merrimack Valley in a long time. I also hope people bring their kids and show them  who the good guys really are.”

SCHEDULED SPEAKERS (In no particular order) 

Edgar Trancoso of “Prospect Hill” –  National Anthem

War Hero and Veterans Services Officer for North Andover and Boxford:
Gerry Maguire with the pledge of allegiance.

Craig Floyd* President and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial in Washington DC 

Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon 

Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins 

1990 Police Survivor Becky Duggan Kruschwitz 

Former State Senator and 1978 Police Survivor, Steve Panagiotakos 

North Andover Police Chief Chuck Gray

Disabled Woburn Police Officer and winner of the “2015 Officer Tom Duggan Hero Police Officer Award”, Robert Dinapoli 

1990 Police Survivor Tom Duggan

Veterans Assisting Veterans: John MacDonald 

President of the New England Police Benevolent Association Jerry Flynn 

Dan Strange

* recorded message