Widow of Fallen Mass. Officer Discusses New Police Foundation
By Mike Elfland
Source Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER, MA—In a video from the foundation of Police Officer Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, who died while rushing to the aid of a drowning teen, the officer's widow talks of his desire "to protect and to serve."
"He became a police officer because he genuinely wanted to help the community," said Jennifer Familia, in a video released this week. "This was his home."
The four-minute video was released in conjunction with the creation of the Manny 267 Foundation, aimed at providing training and rescue equipment to police departments.
Familia, 38, died June 4 after he and colleagues responded to a call of swimmers in distress at Green Hill Pond. The officer and one of the swimmers, 14-year-old Troy Love, drowned.
Familia is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two young children, Jovan and Jayla.
In the video, credited to the foundation and produced by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, Jennifer Familia recounts getting a call that something was wrong at Green Hill Park.
"Being a police officer...is not easy," she said. "He's putting his life on the line every single day. Every time he walks out that door I don't know if I'm going to see him again."
The foundation name recognizes the officer's badge number.
The foundation will aid departments in Worcester and beyond. One of its main goals is to provide lifesaving equipment, including what the foundation calls a Manny Tube, and to support police training for water rescues. Funding will also be directed to swimming lessons for youth.
To donate: The Manny 267 Foundation
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