POLICE PLATINUM: Two of our very bravest recognized by Massachusetts Coalition of Police! [AND READ WHAT HN HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT!]
The following is the actual YPD press statement, followed by HN’s thoughts on the matter:
BRAVERY AWARD FOR GEARY AND VANNESS
The very prestigious Massachusetts Coalition of Police Platinum Award was presented this morning to Yarmouth Police Department Proactive Anti-Crime Unit Officer’s Sean Geary and Christopher VanNess at the Massachusetts Coalition of Police 39th Annual Convention in Hyannisport.
These brave Police Officers did everything they could to save the lives of K9 Sergeant Sean M. Gannon and K9 Nero after each one was shot during the execution of an Arrest Warrant by a violent Massachusetts career criminal on April 12, 2018.
Despite all efforts, Sergeant Gannon tragically succumbed to his wounds but K9 Nero has survived and is now retired and living with the Gannon Family.
Well Done Officers Geary and VanNess
HN THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER: A police administrator recently expressed concern over HN’s candid coverage of an incident where an officer wasn’t adhering to the law and honoring his oath of office… and HN’s criticism that a certain department had to work to improve certain behaviors. The police administrator – a member of that certain other agency – wondered how those at the department in question could ever again trust HN to cover their efforts in a positive light. And I agreed with this high ranking cop wholeheartedly, and replied, [paraphrased], ‘at least when I do give certain police officers praise (which HN often does) you can be damn sure that I’m not merely kissing ass and that I actually mean it!’
And so when I tell HN readers that Officers Geary and VanNess are two of the finest, bravest, as well as humblest cops I’ve ever met, on Cape Cod and from what I’ve seen around the globe… and that they have been my personal heroes for a long long time, you can rest assured I actually mean it!
All this to say, we don’t simply sling piped-in government press release ass-kissing bullshit here at HN. We sincerely mean it when we give certain police officers praise for what they do well (… as we also mean it when we rarely have had to say certain agencies need to raise the bar and live up to higher standards – and, BTW, HN will be the first to recognize those agencies when they finally truly fix what’s wrong and make things better…)…
…but I digress… and I will say, our local cops, in general, are doing an amazing job overall, and that standards are already very high here across the Cape. Dedicated officers like Geary and VanNess are out there working selflessly for us every single day… and HN sees much (more so than most) of what is actually going on out there on our streets.
So, if you’re a young cop, I strongly encourage you to look towards Officers like Geary and VanNess as strong positive examples of what your role can and should be.
God bless, be strong, and stay safe out there!
P.S. – Hytown Vignette music by Sly & The Family Stone… [CRANK IT!]
