WEYMOUTH, MASS. (WHDH) - The Weymouth community lit the city up blue in honor of Sgt. Michael Chesna, who was killed in the line of duty one year ago.
A Facebook event created by Vinnie Tonello invited people to illuminate Weymouth using blue lights as “a very small but touching way to honor Michael.”
“There is a huge amount of pride in Weymouth and this means everything,” Tonello said.
Other events such as a fundraiser at Barrel House Z, a local brewery, drew customers from all over to support charities set up in the victim’s names.
“The outpouring of support just here, for the beer we did last year, we are really hoping to replicate that again to really give back,” brewery owner Dan O’Donnell said.
Residents and business owners displayed blue lights and blue ribbons as a small way to pay tribute to the officer and his grieving family.
“When we lost Sgt. Chesna a year ago, it was kind of like losing your brother or your son,” said George Raymond, who attended the fundraiser.
The wounds in Weymouth clearly still fresh.
Police say Emmanuel Lopes, of Brockton, shot and killed Chesna last July with the officer’s own gun.
Chesna died at 42 after six years with the department, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Lopes has been indicted by a grand jury and is set to be back in court in August.
The events held Monday are a way for the community to come together and continue the healing process, one beer and blue light at a time.
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