Braintree police dog Kitt to be memorialized at South Shore Plaza

Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

BRAINTREE – The South Shore Plaza will memorialize fallen Braintree police K-9 Kitt and raise money for the foundation started in his name as part of its redecoration of the entryway to the mall's upper-level food court. People can buy and and decorate 5-by-5-inch tiles that will make up the tribute.

"We can't wait to see how the tiles turn out and are excited to have pieces of the community in our center for all to see for many years to come," Jacqueline Fitzgerald, the mall's director of marketing and business development, said. "We pride ourselves on being a pillar of the community, and look forward to continuing to support amazing local causes."

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Representatives of the foundation will be selling tiles at the mall Saturday, Nov. 19 and 26, while supplies last. The tiles are $25 each and up to 200 are available. The tiles can also be purchased through the foundation's Facebook and Instagram pages, and then picked up at Kay's Cans and Bottles, 28 Commercial St., Braintree.

The completed tiles should be returned to the mall's management office by Dec. 20.

Money raised from the sale will go to the K9 Kitt Foundation, which assists police canine teams nationwide.

Braintree police officer William Cushing, who was Kitt's partner for more than a decade, thanked the mall; its owner, Simon Property Group; and Braintree residents for the memorial. He said Kitt was "one of a kind."

"I know Kitt had an impact on my life and my ability to continue to live it, and that together we helped countless people in their effort to find closure as victims by locating their assailants. Endeavors like this and the foundation are supportive validations of Kitt's life and career," Cushing said.

Kitt died after being shot three times by a suspect in a domestic violence incident on June 4, 2021. The suspect shot at officers in a wooded area near the Braintree Village apartment complex. Cushing and police officer Matthew Donoghue were shot in the exchange and police officer Richard Seibert was injured. The suspect was killed.

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Another fundraiser to benefit the foundation will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Six String Grill and Stage at Patriot Place in Foxboro. The event will feature live music. Former New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Chung will sign autographs. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit Facebook.com/k9kittfoundation.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Tribute to Braintree police K-9 Kitt planned for South Shore Plaza