THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Thursday, December 31, 2020 Page 11 OFFICER | FROM PAGE 1 Faulkner family due to their courageous patriarch’s service and sacrifice. Faulkner’s mother had 11 children and had deep roots, having been born in Malden in 1798, and lived to the age of 94, some 24 years after her eldest son was killed. Eventually, the two suspects first spied at the Summer Street Depot were caught in the town of Salem, Mass., and put in prison. Last week, on December 22, again, three days before Christmas and exactly 152 years later, Police Chief Kevin Molis headed up the unveiling of a permanent sign memorial in Watchman David Faulkner’s honor, at 53 Summer St. at the site of the very train depot where his life was taken. The well-preserved structure is now the home of the well-known local restaurant Pearl Street Station. “Watchman” dates back to the 5th century Molis detailed the use and derivation of the term “watchman” and revealed it had been used as early as the 5th century A.D., to describe a “protector at night.” The chief also noted that while no family members are around to witness Watchman Faulkner’s memorial, “in a sense, all of you gathered today are his family, here to honor him, his brothers and sisters from the Malden Police Department.” Chief Molis also quoted from speech from the late President John F. Kennedy where he referred to a watchman, noting his courage and diligent duty, calling it “righteous”. “What David Faulkner did was truly righteous. He gave his life for the safety of others. It was righteous then and it has been righteous throughout the proud history of the Malden Police Department and police service all around this country,” Chief Molis said. “It remains vividly righteous in the service and sacrifice that you, the members of the Malden Police Department, make each and every day,” Chief Molis added. “You do not serve in vain.” Malden Police Officer Amanda Selfridge pulled the cloth unveiling the sign, and Police Captain Glenn Cronin played “Taps” in Watchman Faulkner’s honor. Second memorial to a fallen officer this year This was the second unveiling of a fallen Malden police officer memorial this year, as in November, Malden Ptl. Isaiah McClain was honored with a similar ceremony held on Fellsway East. He was killed by a gunman on November 12, 1934. Two other Malden Police officers died in the line of duty; Officer Edward Callahan was shot and killed in a store robbery in Malden Police Officers stood at attention during last Tuesday afternoon’s ceremony for the first member of the Malden Police Department to be killed in the line of duty. Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis said Watchman David Faulkner was shot in the chest during a potential robbery at 53 Summer St. on December 22, 1868. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Malden Police Officer Amanda Yanovitch unveiled the sign. A memorial was held on the calendar day, Dec. 22, when Watchman David Faulkner gave “his last full measure.” September 1963. A permanent memorial in his honor has been in place at the site, at the intersection of Elm and Pleasant Street. Officer Aldo Ray died from complications from an illness in the line of duty in 2014. He is memorialized, along with the other officers who died in the line of duty, in a permanent memorial stone in front of the Malden Police Station at 500 Eastern Ave. (Route 60). (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) During taps, Police Chief Kevin Molis saluted along with Officer Amanda Yanovitch. Police Captain Glenn Cronin played taps. The memorial sign was placed between the American flag and Malden flag.
12 Publizr Home