THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 2, 2025 Page 5 “Now is the time to pay him back” Town Meeting considers article to boost Disability Pension for Saugus Offi cer who was injured in the line of duty By Mark E. Vogler F ormer Saugus Police Officer Christopher Taylor and his family continue to struggle financially since a debilitating, on-duty injury permanently ended his law enforcement career five years ago. Offi cer Taylor and two other Saugus Police Offi - cers were stabbed on Aug. 6, 2020, after approaching a psychologically impaired person. Among the articles that will be considered at this year’s Annual Town Meeting is one initiating a Home Rule Petition regarding the Disability Pension of Offi cer Taylor administered by the Saugus Retirement Board. He currently receives 72 percent of his base pay. The Home Rule Petition fi led on Taylor’s behalf would enable him to receive a 100 percent disability benefi t. “We recognize that Offi cer Taylor and his family have suffered a lot during that service, and now is the time to pay him back,” said Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli, who sponsored the warrant article. “In July of 2024, Gov. Healey signed into law House Bill H746 (An Act relative to disability pensions for violent crimes). Moving forward, that bill gives permanently injured police offi cers everything that we are asking for in the home rule petition. Unfortunately, Offi cer Taylor was injured several years before the passage of the bill,” Chief Ricciardelli said. Christopher Taylor served with the Saugus Police Department from Jan. 30, 2017, to Aug. 6, 2020. He was injured in the line of duty on Aug. 6, 2020. He has received Accidental Disability Retirement since May 20, 2023. On the evening of Aug. 6, 2020, Offi cer Taylor responded to Tuttle Street to assist the onthe-scene offi cers with a call for a stolen U-Haul. He suff ered a stab wound at the hands of the suspect. “I received a large laceration to my left forearm which required over 20 stitches to close and suff ered permanent nerve damage to my arm,” Taylor said in his impact statement. He said he was unable to lift anything that weighed more than fi ve to 10 pounds or do physical labor for several months. “I was having a hard time sleeping through the night; I would have recurring nightmares of this incident with visions of the suspect standing over me stabbing me repeatedly. I would wake up in cold sweats screaming for backup and help,” he said. The psychological impact the incident had PAY HIM BACK | SEE PAGE 22 Toys! $ 599. 95 Collectibles! $ 1,195. 95 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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