PFIA REMEMBERS

WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO OUR FALLEN HEROES

Police Officer Emmanuel Familia Worcester Police Department, MA 5-year veteran

Police Officer Manny Familia drowned while attempting to rescue a juvenile who had gone underwater in a small pond in Green Hill Park. Three juveniles who had gone into the water became distressed. One of the juveniles went underwater and failed to surface. Officer Familia and several other officers responded to the pond and entered the water in an effort to save all three. Officers were able to bring the other two juveniles to shore, however, Officer Familia failed to surface while trying to save the third juvenile. Officer Familia was recovered from the water approximately one hour later and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The juvenile’s body was recovered approximately one hour later.

Detective Stephen Arnold Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, LA 12-year veteran

Detective Stephen Arnold succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 26, 2016, while serving a search warrant and arrest warrant in the 3500 block of Douglas Street in New Orleans. He and other members of a DEA Task Force had knocked on the door and announced themselves but did not receive a response. As they forced entry into the home, the wanted subject opened fire from inside, striking Detective Arnold five times. The man was taken into custody and pleaded guilty to federal charges as a result of the narcotics investigation and of shooting Detective Arnold. Detective Arnold remained in a coma until passing away from his wounds on May 23, 2021.

Police Officer Godron Beesley Arvada Police Department, CO 19-year veteran

Police Officer Gordon Beesley was shot and killed after having responded to a suspicious event call near the Arvada Library. While Officer Beesley was checking the area, a subject who had expressed a hatred for police arrived and saw him. The subject retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun from his vehicle, approached Officer Beesley from behind, and opened fire, killing Officer Beesley. A Good Samaritan, Mr. Johnny Hurley, heard the shots, rushed to the area, and fatally shot the subject prior to the arrival of backup officers. Mr. Hurley picked up the subject’s rifle to secure it but was mistaken for the original shooter and was fatally shot by responding officers. Officer Beesley was the SRO at Oberon Middle School but was assigned to patrol during the summer break.