THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 2, 2019 Page 13 ASKS | FROM PAGE 1 Saugus Police Department for more than 31 years – his final 18 years as the K-9 officer. He’s been credited with helping to reinstitute a K-9 unit in the Saugus Police Department after more than two decades without one. He and his dog Bruin were popular ambassadors of the Saugus Police Department when it came to interacting with the students of Saugus Public Schools for many years. Fawcett, who was one of four children of Robert and Jacqueline Fawcett, moved from East Boston in 1964 to Endicott Street on the east side of Saugus. He is a 1978 graduate of Saugus High School and was a standout athlete, starring in football, baseball and basketball. His future wife – the former Debbie Chase – grew up on Holland Street. She is a 1988 Saugus High School graduate. She also excelled in High School sports, as a member of the basketball, field hockey and softball teams. Tim and Debbie Fawcett were both inducted into the Saugus High School Sports Hall of Fame. They now reside in Peabody and have three children: Tyler, Timothy, Jr. and Gina. Tim Fawcett became a reserve officer in the Saugus Police Department in March of 1983. He was appointed a full-time officer in May of 1988. He worked as a patrol officer for his first 13 years and was assigned to the 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. shift. In 2001, he persisted in getting then-Police Chief Ed Felix and Lt. Mike Annese to resurrect the department’s K-9 unit. Soon after, he received training at the K-9 Police Academy, led by Troy Caisey of the Boston Police Department. He served as handlers of two K-9 dogs, Beny (2001-11) and Bruin (2011-19), during his time on the unit. saw, especially from the Saugus Fire Department, who raised the ladder truck with the large American flag hanging down, the members who were working that day and the duty officers in full uniform gave my family and my dog a full salute. Then I went to Wakefield and I happened to notice an 80-yearold woman in a full military salute, wearing a Boston Bruins jersey – who never knew my dog or myself – paying tribute to my dog. Q: Wow. That was something. How did she know to be out there? A SCHOOL VISIT: Retired Police K-9 Officer Tim Fawcett with K-9 Bruin during one of many trips the team made into Saugus Public Schools during the period 2011-19. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: Tim, I have been trying to sit down with you and do an interview since the death of K-9 Bruin back in March. It’s been a few months now since his death. What are your thoughts about the tribute you and Bruin got, driving around during his final ride … with the kids lined up in the street out in front of the schoolhouses, cheering, waving signs and just showing their appreciation? A: First of all, that entire tribute to my canine is etched in my heart forever, along with my family’s hearts. It’s something that you could never repay the people or Officers Domenic Montano, Billy Cash and Matt Donahue and members of the department – did without my knowledge or my family’s – it is something I will never forget. Q: What are your recollections of that day? A: I remember waking up that morning, knowing that within hours that I had to put the dog down. However, I was told by Officer Montano that the Peabody Police Department (where I reside) were going to assist us just to get onto Route 1 to take us to the veterinarian. I also remember that when my nephew had called me to see Bruin prior to his being put down, he said “Uncle, I can’t get in the house; there are eight Peabody police cruisers and a Lynnfield motorcycle in front of your house.” My recollections are then that I was told to come outside, and the Saugus Police Department, with at least four marked cruisers, were being followed by 25 other marked cruisers and unmarked cruisers from several cities and towns – Everett, Chelsea, Revere, Malden, Arlington and McGarvey’s Towing and the DPW of Saugus – following in a parade in a tribute to my dog. Q: Wow. And the best memory of the day for you was … A: I would have to say, when TAKING A BREAK: The late K-9 Bruin relaxing. Retired K-9 Officer Tim Fawcett says the death of his beloved dog in March influenced his decision to retire after more than 31 years at the Saugus Police Department. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) my 15-year-old son, who was seated next to me in the cruiser, by permission of Chief Giorgetti, for Bruin’s final ride, looked up and said, “Dad, look at the helicopters over us” on Route 1. And I didn’t realize it … I thought they were there for traffic reporting. And my son said “Dad, they are following you.” I have so many memories of that tribute, of the entire school, not just Mrs. [Jennifer] Ricciardelli’s class at the Oaklandvale School, but all of the students lining Main Street, all of the citizens of town throughout Cliftondale Square throughout Saugus Center, all the town employees – the support that my family A: I don’t know those answers because … like I said, Officer Montano surprised myself and my family by saying originally that there was only going to be two cruisers to escort us to the veterinarian for Bruin’s final putdown, and there was going to be one in the front and one in the rear. And the previous night, he said the PD was going to get involved. But he never told me of all of the other K-9 units he reached out to, nor did he tell me that there was going to be a tribute parade – something like the Christmas Eve parade that I was involved in for many years. Q: And in Wakefield, that was the veterinarian that was the last stop for Bruin? A: That was the location of the veterinarian: the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital. Doctor Samantha Simonelli and the staff there, I can’t thank enough. Dr. Simonelli did a wonderful job of comforting my family. Q: Anything else about the tribute that you would like to add? - Live Performances | Dozens of Food Vendors Activities for the Entire Family | Beer Garden A: After Bruin’s passing, we received blankets, paintings, key chains, portraits and hundreds of cards, not just from Saugus residents, but from people across the country. And there were also offers of free German Shepherd puppies that people wanted to ship to my home. A lady from Idaho was upset that I didn’t accept the offer, and she didn’t care if it was a male or female or whether it was going to be a police dog or not. And this all came after that touching tribute that Officer Domenic Montano organized. Q: And what happened to Bruin as far as his remains? A: We have his ashes at home. They’re in an urn. It’s a little bit tough to look at, but we know he’s in our home forever. This was just a touching tribute that I really can’t describe. Q: Please tell me, what made Bruin so special? All of the kids were out there paying their respects. A: The kids were amazed by him. I think that even though my lead instructor, Troy, didn’t agree with me sometimes to bring the K-9 in the homes – they were basically to be kenneled outside. After my first one, where my wife, Debbie, wanted the dog in the home because it was too cold out, we developed a system where we wanted the dogs to be social with our family – where we could trust them around children. And I was blessed. I had two beautiful animals. I don’t know if they took the demeanor of my family, but they were just social animals. But in a matASKS | SEE PAGE 14 Vietnamese Kids Pageant Coordinator: Anh Le: (857)869-2525 SOUTH PARK 240 North St Randolph MA FRI AUG 16 4 PM-10 PM SAT AUG 17 12 PM-10 PM SUN AUG 18 12 PM-9:30 PM www.MidAutumnLanternFestival.com Phone: 617-297-7392 BUY TICKETS NOW: $5.00 on our website/event page $7.00 at the door (Includes free raffle entry. Refer to website for details) Vendor & Sponsor Coordinator Khang Nguyen: 781-707-6397 Lynn Nguyen: 617-461-6351 Volunteer Coordinator Nghi Van: 857-241-0264
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