Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 2, 2019 ASKS | FROM PAGE 14 in the back kennel, and as weak as he was, he barked to the children as if to say “Thank you.” He actually stood up. My son said, “Put the windows down, dad, so the kids can hear him.” Q: So, this happened as he was being driven … A: Driven by the Oaklandvale School. The kids were chanting “B-r-u-i-n! B-r-u-i-n!” and my dog actually stood up on his weak legs – as weak as he was – and barked toward the kids a final good-bye. Q: Wow, I guess that made your eyes water. A: Yes. It does now when I think back about it. Q: So, besides your dad, did you have any other idols you looked up to who helped shape your career? READY FOR SOME ACTION: The late K-9 Beny served the Saugus Police Department for a decade – handled by K-9 Officer Tim Fawcett – who recently retired from the department after more than 31 years, the last 18 as a K-9 officer. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) A: My father was my main idol. Well, I grew up in the town, from Little League to High School sports. Some of the coaches I looked up to: Mike Ginolfi and Rich Salerno. When I attended the Municipal Police Officer’s Academy in Topsfield, it was led by one of my mentors: Sgt. Alan Thompson, the ON DUTY: Retired K-9 Officer Tim Fawcett out with his first K-9 dog, Beny, who served during the period 2001-11 with the Saugus Police Department. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) lead instructor of the Massachusetts State Police Q: I understand that the Town of Saugus used to have a poll for favorite restaurants and whatnot – favorite things in town – which included, like, favorite police officer, which I understand that you won a bunch of times? A: Yes, a few years back. I was Congrats Kathy! After 39 years at Everett Bank, our Senior Vice President Kathleen Rush is retiring. Kathy started as a Customer Sales Representative and worked her way up to the top, embodying the values of the bank every step of the way. Don’t worry, she’ll still be serving as the Clerk of the Corporation so you’ll see her around. Nonetheless, we wish her the best of luck in this next chapter of her life! told I won, I think five to seven years in a row – I don’t know – probably because I didn’t write too many tickets and I gave people a second chance. It all goes back to my family, the way they brought me up. I just think that everybody is a human. I guess that’s how I became the favorite cop. I don’t know. Q: And this was during Bruin’s period? A: No, prior to me having a K-9. This was many years ago when they had that poll. Q: I also understand that you and your wife, Debbie, were Saugus High School sports legends. You both were inducted into the Saugus High Sports Hall of Fame. A: I would say that my wife is more of a legend than I am, because she was a three-sport athlete and excelled in each one: basketball, softball and field hockey. I did play three sports in High School, but primarily football. I was not as good in baseball or basketball, but I was a member of many good teams with great players. Q: Did you win any titles? A: We won the Northeast Right by you. 418 BROADWAY, EVERET T, MA 02149 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 7 7 1 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 7 8 1 - 7 7 6 - 4444 Member FDIC Member SIF Conference in 1975 when I was a sophomore. And then in 1977, my senior year, we won the Northeast Conference with a 9-1 record. We almost went to the Super Bowl – we lost to Salem with 13 seconds left in the seventh game of the year, 7-6 – many fond memories of Saugus High School. Q: And your wife was quite a star. A: Yes. I don’t dare play her one-on-one in basketball, I’ll tell you that. She was quite the athlete and still is. Q: Now, are your sons interested in law enforcement? A: Neither one of my boys, I hope. I hate to say this, but it’s just a tough job. It’s a thankless job sometimes, but not for me. I have had many good memories from the people of Saugus, both the citizens and the merchants that made my career a blessing. Q: So, you wanted to follow in your father’s footsteps, against his best wishes. A: Yes, I did. My dad was quite against me becoming a police officer. He wanted me to have a Civil Service job, but he preferred me to have it as a firefighter because he felt that even though the firefighters, as I mentioned, earned their money all of the time – my father just felt that citizens look at firefighters in a better way because they don’t have to issue tickets or arrest someone in their family. Q: You mentioned earlier that you were actively involved with the Christmas Eve parade for many years that’s quite an institution in town. So, that was something you really enjoyed as you look back on your career? A: Yes. I had the pleasure of working with the officer who originated the parade: the late Officer Bill Diotte. Bill was a gentle guy – a great guy who was involved in the community – a kind police officer who ASKS | SEE PAGE 19
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