Weymouth bridge dedicated to police Sgt. Michael Chesna

WCVB
·2 min read
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WEYMOUTH − A new bridge now bears the name of a Weymouth police officer who was killed in the line of duty.

The state Department of Transportation held a ceremony Saturday afternoon for the dedication of the Sgt. Michael C. Chesna First Responders Bridge in Weymouth.

On July 15, 2018, Chesna found a suspect, who was wanted for fleeing the scene of a single-car crash, vandalizing a home in the Burton Terrace area.

Authorities said Chesna got out of his cruiser, drew his firearm and told the suspect to stop. The suspect struck him in the head with a large stone. Chesna fell to the ground and the suspect took the officer's gun and opened fire, striking him several times in the head and chest.

Chesna, a 42-year-old husband and father of two, was taken to South Shore Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The fallen officer's family, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito were among those who attended the bridge dedication ceremony.

"The kindness is overwhelming. We have had love and support for the last four and a half years on this arduous journey and without it, I don't think any of us would be at the point where we're at today," said Mimi Chesna, Chesna's mother.

Weymouth police Sgt. Michael Chesna and Vera Adams were killed on July 15, 2018.
Weymouth police Sgt. Michael Chesna and Vera Adams were killed on July 15, 2018.

The bridge carries Route 18 over the MBTA Colony Railroad. According to MassDOT, the bridge was recently completed as part of the $78 million Weymouth-Abington Route 18 Reconstruction and Widening Project.

Mimi Chesna said the bridge's location along Route 18 is fitting because it leads to South Shore Hospital and the police station.

The man who is charged with killing Chesna, Emanuel Lopes, has been held without bail for more than four years. Lopes, who is also charged with fatally shooting Weymouth resident Vera Adams that same day, has had his jury trial rescheduled several times.

Coming up:Trial for man charged with killing Sgt. Michael Chesna, Vera Adams delayed until May

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Weymouth bridge dedicated to police Sgt. Michael Chesna