More than a thousand police officers lined the streets in Massachusetts to pay their respects to Sgt. Sean Gannon, a Yarmouth Police Department officer killed in the line of duty.
Gannon, 32, was fatally shot in the head last Thursday while serving a warrant in Marstons Mills. According to MassLive, the situation escalated into an hour-long standoff with the suspect, who shot Gannon and his K9 partner, Nero.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Latanowich, was arraigned Friday on a murder charge and is being held without bail. The police department, last year, described Latanowich as a ‘violent and notorious career criminal’.
The 29-year-old has a lengthy rap sheet which includes 111 prior offenses, including arrests for gun and drug offenses and a 2016 stabbing. Latanowich was out on probation when he shot Gannon.
The Yarmouth Police Department said in a news release on Facebook that Gannon died on impact. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant following his tragic death.
Gannon was killed while serving a warrant which turned into an hour-long standoff with the suspect, who shot Gannon and his K9 partner Nero. Officers are seen above carrying Gannon’s casket
The Barnstable Police Department leads a long procession to St. Pius X Roman Catholic church for the funeral service Yarmouth K9 Officer Gannon
Sgt. Sean Gannon, with the Yarmouth Police Department, was killed in the line of duty last Thursday
More than a thousands officers from various departments showed up for Gannon’s funeral on Wednesday
Officers from departments in Massachusetts and nearby states lined the streets leading up to St. Pius X Catholic Church in South Yarmouth
The Yarmouth Police Department said in a news release that Gannon died on impact and Nero was seriously injured. Barnstable K-9 officers are seen above at Gannon’s procession
On Wednesday, mourners and law enforcement officers from various departments lined the streets to St. Pius X Catholic Church in South Yarmouth to say their final goodbyes to the officer.
Police chief Frank Frederickson said during the funeral that Gannon was the ‘Tom Brady of our department’.
Rev. Paul Caron, who delivered the eulogy, called the slain officer a ‘star’.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Latanowich, was arraigned Friday on a murder charge and is being held without bail
‘God was with him last Thursday,’ he said. ‘He sped him out that darkness into his arms.’
Caron described Gannon as a ‘true Christian gentleman’ who had a great sense of humor.
Officers from departments across Massachusetts and nearby states attended the funeral. Dozens of tributes also poured in for the Yarmouth department.
‘I wanted to extend my condenses and prayers to you and all the officers and families of the Yarmouth and Cape Cod Police Departments,’ the Los Angeles Police Department said.
‘The news of Officer Gannon’s death has reached the west coast and I have made it a point to discuss his sacrifice with my colleagues at work. Everyone at the LAPD, especially Hollenbeck Division, mourn for the loss of Officer Gannon and pray for his family.’
The Holliston Police Department in Massachusetts said it was keeping Yarmouth officers in prayer.
‘Please know that we stand in sorrow with you during this incredibly painful time. The YPD has a special place for those of us who run along your shore each spring, and we always feel welcomed as one of your own,’ Detective Ciara Maguire said.
‘Sir, know that we here at the Holliston PD will keep Officer Gannon, and you all, in our deepest thoughts and prayers.’
The New York Police Department also offered up kind words telling the Yarmouth department: ‘We love you officer Sean and K9 Nero!’
The Boston Police pipes and drum corp leads the procession of police departments to the church for the funeral
Color guards from different departments walk with the procession for Sgt. Gannon’s funeral
Honor guard members load the casket into the hearse outside the Doane Beal and Ames Funeral home
The New York Yankees sent the department flowers, writing: ‘With our deepest sympathies, our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Gannon family and the family of the Yarmouth Police Department.’
News of Gannon’s death also touched officers in the UK.
‘I am so sorry for the loss of your officer Sean. I met him out on a ride along with yourselves. Thoughts and prayers are with Sean’s family, you and your officers, and especially Nero,’ the Metropolitan Police said.
The Lehi City Police Department in Utah told Yarmouth officers: ‘In behalf of the Lehi City Police Department, we share in your sorrow for the loss of Officer Gannon, Please know that your department is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.’
Gannon (right), who had been with the department since 2010, leaves behind a wife, his parents, siblings and other family members and friends
During a Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles game on Friday survivors of the Boston Marathon Bombing paused for a moment of silence for Gannon
Nero was shot in the neck and head and is still recovering, the Yarmouth Police Department said
The K9 is now able to walk and will return to the Gannon family once he recovers
During a Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles game on Friday survivors of the Boston Marathon Bombing paused for a moment of silence for Gannon. The survivors were at the game to be honored in a pregame ceremony.
Gannon, who joined the department in 2010, leaves behind his wife Dara, his parents, siblings and many other family and friends.
As for Nero, Yarmouth Police Department said the K9 is making progress in his recovery and can now walk, although he still has bandages on all four legs.
Nero will return to the Gannon family after he recovers, the department said.