Thousands Line the Streets for Slain Yarmouth Officer’s Procession

YARMOUTH – Hundreds of people lined the roads from Hyannis to Yarmouth Tuesday to solemnly watch the procession for slain Yarmouth Police Officer Sean Gannon.

He was fatally shot in the line of duty last week while serving a warrant in Marstons Mills.

Along the route from a funeral home in Hyannis and into Yarmouth along Route 28, trees and utility poles were tied in blue ribbons.

Business signs had messages of condolence for the 32-year-old fallen officer.

At St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth, which was draped in black bunting, people waiting outside waved American flags, held signs with messages of sorrow and wore black and blue ribbons.

A long line of K-9 officers from around New England drove by the church in honor of their fellow colleague.

Thounsands of law enforcement offices take part in a walk-by for the late Yarmouth Police Officer Sean Gannon

Gannon’s K-9 unit Nero was also shot, but survived and has been recovering in a local animal hospital.

In addition to local officials from the Yarmouth Board of Selectmen, Barnstable County and other agencies, Governor Charlie Baker made an appearance to give his condolences.

A police walk-by took place at 5 p.m., with an estimated 5,000 members of law enforcement from as far away as Los Angeles on hand to pay their respects.

Representatives from every Cape and Islands department and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department were on hand.

Top law enforcement leaders from around the nation attended, including Boston Police Commissioner William Evans.

Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times pool photo

Members of community groups and local high school sports teams waited hours in line to enter the church to pay their respects.

Since Gannon’s death last Thursday, there has been an outpouring of raw emotion from law enforcement and the community as a whole.

“Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking. There are no other words I have for it. Needless, senseless and heartbreaking,” said Debbie Pierce of Yarmouth Port, who was standing outside the church Tuesday waiting to pay her respects.

The universal sentiment among the hundreds who stood in the cold wind was disbelief and shock of what happened.

Jackie Foster of Hanson traveled to Cape Cod for the service.

“Sad day, just really glad for the turnout. It’s pretty devastating to everybody,” she said.

“It’s really sad, but it’s good to see all this support. I didn’t even know we’d have this many people here to come around this support this tragic event. But it’s beautiful to see all these people,” said  Tyler Carpenter of Yarmouth.

Thomas Latanowich, 29, is accused of firing the fatal shot at a home on Blueberry Lane. He is a career criminal well known to law enforcement who has 125 criminal violations on his record.

Funeral services will take place Wednesday morning, also at St. Pius X in Yarmouth.

By MATT PITTA, RALPHIE MARINO,  and CAT WILSON, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

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