Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 16, 2025 PATROLMAN’S BACK | FROM PAGE 4 to enact the Home Rule Petition, which had been recommended by the Finance Committee. “I was a little surprised that there was no discussion, and that the vote was unanimous,” Chief Ricciardelli said. “But I think that speaks volumes about the Town Meeting – that they have our backs and that they have Christopher’s back. It’s nice to get that show of support. Passing the article unanimously shows the town is not going to turn its back.” Former Officer Taylor, joined by his wife Elizabeth and his mother Darlene, sat in the audience, alongside the chief, watching as each Town Meeting member voted for the article. “He [Taylor] was very happy about the way things turned out,” the chief said. “There weren’t any questions. I guess they were satisfi ed because we gave them a lot of information,” he said. Serious injuries; emotional toll Taylor was one of three Saugus police officers who were stabbed on Aug. 6, 2020, after approaching a If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available psychologically impaired person. He had responded to Tuttle Street to assist the onthe-scene offi cers with a call for a stolen U-Haul. “I received a large laceration to my left forearm which required over 20 stitches to close and suffered permanent nerve damage to my arm,” Taylor said in his impact statement, which was included in the material the chief submitted with Article 28. He said he was unable to lift anything that weighed more than fi ve to 10 pounds or do physical labor for several months. Taylor, who served with the Saugus Police Department from Jan. 30. 2017, to Aug. 6, 2020, said the incident also took an emotional toll on him. “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 in his impact statement. The two other offi cers recovered from their injuries. But a panel of doctors determined that Taylor will never be able to work in the capacity of a police offi cer again, according to the chief. Taylor has received Accidental Disability Retirement since May 20, 2023. He receives 72 percent of his base pay. But it’s barely enough to support his wife and their three-year-old daughter Kaia. Under legislation signed into law last year by Gov. Maura Healey, future police offi cer victims like Taylor are entitled to 100 percent disability benefi ts. “If his injuries happened tomorrow, he [Taylor] wouldn’t have to do a Home Rule Petition,” Chief Ricciardelli said. Next stop: the Legislature Passage of the Town Meeting article is the fi rst step in a process that moves to the Legislature and ultimately the governor’s offi ce. “We plan to reach out to the members of our Legislative delegation next, especially Rep. Giannino,” the chief said. State Rep. Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere), whose legislative district includes Precincts 3 and 10 in Saugus, was the sponsor of House Bill 4746, An Act relative to disability pensions for violent crimes – the legislation that became law last summer. “As the daughter of a retired Police Sergeant, I know all too well the risks that our police offi cers face every day when they begin a shift,” Giannino said after the bill signing last summer. “When I fi rst met with advocates to discuss this legislation, and they shared with me that their families would have been better off if they did not survive each accident, it stayed with me. No family or police offi cer should ever carry that burden,” she said. Taylor mentioned a similar fi nancial dilemma in his impact statement. “I learned that had I died that morning, my family would have been fi nancially taken care of,” Taylor said. “However, because I was lucky enough to survive this PATROLMAN’S BACK | SEE PAGE 10 Donate Your Vehicle Call (866) 618-0011 to donate your car, truck, boat, RV, and more today! ■ Support Veteran Nonprofi ts. ■ Free Pickup & Towing. ■ Top Tax Deduction. Donate Your Vehicle Today 866-618-0011 www.veterancardonations.org/dnt122 While we appreciate every donation, in some cases, we fi nd that we are unable to accept certain vehicles, watercraft, and/or recreational vehicles due to the prohibitive costs of acquisition. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (866) 618-0011.
7 Publizr Home