Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 REMEMBER | FROM PAGE 1 Ricciardelli also talked about the great responsibility that K9 officers have in carrying out their assigned duties. “It’s physically demanding. It’s mentally demanding,” the chief said. “I have a German shepherd myself. If you don’t keep up, they get lax. It’s a 24-hour job with a canine, when you are a handler.” Patrolman Matt Donahue, who joined Offi cer Montano as the master of ceremonies, singled out several businesses that worked on the memorial. Donahue praised David DeFilippo of Woodlawn Memorials on the design and production, noting “David’s thoughtful and sensitive attention to details has made it look gorgeous.” He complimented Victor Oliveira of VCO Landscaping for “putting together a beautiful landscape A PATRIOTIC REFLECTION: An image of the American fl ag bounces of the new memorial honoring Saugus Police Department K9 units. around the memorial” and Slotnick Monuments for “their skilled precision on engraving” the names of about two dozen sponsors on bricks for the walkway to the memorial. “We are so grateful to everyone for all of their valuable contributions,” Offi cer Donahue said. Donahue also hailed the dedicated work of the Saugus Police K9 units of the past. www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM “While we remain indebted to their ultimate sacrifices, let us honor their memory together and live out our lives as best we can with purpose, with love and with joy,” Donahue said. “Let’s strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we know that we spent it well, that we made a diff erence,” he said. “What a wonderful tribute!” Toward the end of the ceremony, Offi cer Montano walked up to the memorial and laid down two artifi cial roses – one blue and the other black – to symbolize law enforcement. Montano said in an interview WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! later that he looks forward to return trips to the cemetery in the future for a coff ee break while refl ecting on the contriA WALKWAY OF SUPPORT: The red bricks leading up to the memorial are inscribed with names of businesses that supported the project. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) butions of the K9 teams. Retired Saugus K9 Officer Tim Fawcett was so thrilled with the memorial that he got misty-eyed when he was invited to talk about it. “What a wonderful tribute!” Fawcett, a 31-year veteran of the Saugus police force – including 18 years as a K9 offi cer – said in an interview later. “I want to thank Dom and Matt for the tons of time they took to make this happen. I’m forever indebted to them that the canines and their handlers will be remembered in Saugus for eternity – for their service and dedication,” Fawcett said. “I know one little girl who is now 18 and who raised the money for Bruin’s bullet-proof vest – Madison Slane – will be glad to see it [the memorial] when she comes home from college,” he said. Fawcett got to work with K9 Bruin for eight years (2011-19) before the Police Department’s beloved dog was put to sleep last year after being diagnosed with cancer. Fawcett and K9 Bruin were popular ambassadors of the Saugus police when it came to interacting with students for many years. The recently unveiled memorial honors these K9 teams: • Offi cer Ralph Nasuti – K9 Spike • Offi cer James Magill – K9 Sampson • Offi cer Andrew Evlog – K9 Huntz • Offi cer Roger Godfrey – K9 Josh • Offi cer Peter Cicolini – K9 King • Then-Sgt., now Lt. Anthony LoPresti – K9 Gaston • Offi cer Timothy Fawcett – K9 Beny • Offi cer Timothy Fawcett – K9 Bruin Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 62 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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