NJ Cops May18 | Page 48

In Memor iam Thousands of offi cers come to New England to honor fallen brother ■ BY MITCHELL KRUGEL The highest praise possible for anybody in New England came for Yarmouth, Massachusetts K9 Officer Sean McNamee Gannon, who was killed by gunfire when assisting with a war- rant service to a career criminal on April 12. Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Fredickson called Gannon the “Tom Brady of the department.” An estimated 10,000 law enforcement police officers from across the country, including a contingent from the NJ State PBA with President Pat Colligan and Executive Vice President Marc Kovar, attended the funeral. The PBA Special Services trail- er was also on scene to support officers, who came from as far away as Texas and California. The life of the 32-year-old Yarmouth officer was celebrated with a Mass at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in South Yar- mouth on April 18. Before the service, a line of blue created by uniformed officers marched from the local high school to the church. Gannon, who had worked for the Yarmouth Police Depart- ment for eight years, was fatally shot while he tried to arrest Thomas M. Latanowich on a probation violation warrant in nearby Barnstable. Gannon’s partner, Nero, was also wounded but is recovering and getting stronger by the day, according to a department Facebook post on May 9. Latanowich is a career criminal who spent four years in state prison after pleading guilty to drug and gun charges. On social media, Yarmouth police have identified Latanowich only as “125,” the total number of entries on his criminal history. Gannon was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant by his department. He leaves behind his wife, Dara, and many other family members, including his parents, Denise and Pat- rick. In honor of Gannon being a K9 officer, 400 K9 officers and their dogs attended the funeral as well. “We have a fallen brother, but we have a fallen animal that has to recover that everyone has to remember, too,” said Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Detective Justin McCann, a member of Sussex County Local 138, who came to the funeral with his de- partment.  48 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MAY 2018 In Memor iam Sergeant Sean McNamee Gannon K9 Officer Yarmouth Police Department, Massachusetts End of Watch: April 12, 2018 The NJ State PBA Special Services trailer was on scene to support offi cers at- tending the funeral for Yarmouth, Massachusetts Sergeant Sean Gannon on April 18.