Manny Familia on minds of those at Hanna Memorial Award ceremony in Worcester

Jennifer Familia, widow of Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, and their son, Jovan, watch as police file out of Mechanics Hall after the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Award ceremony.
Jennifer Familia, widow of Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, and their son, Jovan, watch as police file out of Mechanics Hall after the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Award ceremony.

WORCESTER – Although he will not be formally honored until next year, the spirit and sacrifice of Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia was solemnly celebrated during the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Award for Bravery ceremony Thursday at Mechanics Hall.

The awards are given each year to state and local police officers.

Familia, 38, died June 4 at Green Hill Pond while trying to rescue Troy Love, 14, of Virginia, who also lost his life. His widow, Jennifer, and their son, Jovan, were present at the award ceremony. Familia’s daughter, Jayla, was at school.

Several speakers made comparison between Familia and Hanna, who was killed in the line of duty while making a traffic stop on Feb. 26, 1983, in Auburn. Hanna’s widow, Deborah, and their daughter, Kimberly, were at the presentation, as they have been since the first one.

Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Terrence Reidy, state public safety secretary, addressed the audience.

The Massachusetts State Police Pipes and Drums play for the procession at Mechanics Hall.
The Massachusetts State Police Pipes and Drums play for the procession at Mechanics Hall.

"He (Familia) was an extraordinary police officer with an outstanding career and promising future ahead. He was taken from us, his family and from the community he protected and served. We will never forget his service, his sacrifice or the legacy he left behind,” Reidy said.

"I want to thank the Hanna family. I want to thank the Familia family for being a part of this level of appreciation,” Polito said.

“There’s simply no question that these jobs come with the swearing, ‘You’re under oath.’ And that oath, by definition, may put you or your colleagues in harm’s way at some point along the way,” said Baker.

Baker pledged that he would make sure that the public safety and law enforcement community have all the training and support that they need to be the best in their respective field.

“We think defunding the police is a really bad idea,” Baker said. “But that said we do believe that there are things that we can do together with our colleagues in municipal government, our friends and neighbors and our community-based organizations to improve the quality of law enforcement here in Massachusetts.”

The official awards ceremony was not held last year as a result of COVID-19.

The Medal of Honor is the state’s most distinguished law enforcement award and is presented to those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme risk and imminent danger to life or limb.

The Medal of Valor is the state’s second-highest policing honor and is awarded to police officers whose heroism in a single incident goes above and beyond the call of duty and demonstrates selfless bravery in the face of danger to themselves.

Westborough Police Sgt. Jonathan Kalagher received the Medal of Valor. In 2019, he rushed to the aid of a woman who had been stabbed by her husband.

Pepperell Police Sgt. Nick L. Parker and Officer Justin D. Zink, who were honored together, both received the Medal of Valor.

Westborough police Sgt. Jonathan Kalagher poses for a photo  with retired Westborough police Lt. Paul Donnelly.
Westborough police Sgt. Jonathan Kalagher poses for a photo with retired Westborough police Lt. Paul Donnelly.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester police officer Familia lauded at awards ceremony in city