YARMOUTH – Hundreds of people turned out Saturday night to remember Yarmouth Police officer Sean Gannon who was shot and killed while serving a warrant Wednesday in Marstons Mills.
Officer Sean Gannon was praised as a true hero who gave his life for his community.
Dozens of law enforcement and public safety officers from around Cape Cod also took part in the ceremony at the Yarmouth Police Department’s 9-1-1 memorial site.
Chief Frank Frederickson said the hurt is still within him.
“I’m crushed inside. Sean was entrusted to me,” he said.
While the chief said everyone was trying to find reason in all of this, he vowed “to be there for all of you.”
In heart-wrenching moment, the chief talked his early-morning run on Saturday when the roads were clear and he was left to himself.
Frederickson said he found himself crying and wailing.
“The people he touched and made their lives better is endless,” the chief said.
Frederickson also said it was time for the Legislature to get serious about criminal justice reform so something like this never happens again.
The man accused of murdering Gannon, Thomas Latanowich, has over 120 prior criminal charges on his record.
First Barnstable State Representative Tim Whelan, a former State Police trooper who worked with Gannon, said he was proud to have known him.
“We’re here to join together as a community, as Cape Cod, join together as law enforcement, proud first responders. We join together in love and unity to know that you are not alone,” he said.
“We will never, ever, go away. We will always be here for you,” said Whelan.
Yarmouth Board of Selectmen Chair Tracy Post said that while it’s difficult to find the right words, “our community light will not be dimmed. We are here and we are supportive.”
Congressman William Keating said the community lost “one of our finest,” and called Gannon a giver.
He cited the slain officer’s work with young children, his K-9 Nero and as a Big Brother.
He urged those at the vigil to learn from Gannon’s life and know that he gave all that he had.
Latanowich, 29, pleaded not guilty to Gannon’s murder on Friday. He was ordered held without bail and will next appear in court in June 26
Gannon and other officers arrived at 109 Blueberry Lane around 2:30 p.m. Thursday where they were seeking Latanowich, a known career criminal to Cape Cod law enforcement.
At some point, Latanowich allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding Gannon.
Top photos by John P. Carroll/CWN; lower photos by Craig S. Chadwick/CWN
