ABOVE HN FILE PHOTO: Yarmouth Police Sergeant Sean Gannon assisting Barnstable Police patrol officers at a Breaking & Entering that had just occurred in Hyannis on February 26, 2018. Sgt. Gannon was murdered by a career violent offender on April 12, 2018, about 6 and a half weeks after this photo was taken. (Although very busy at an active crime scene, Sean made a point to say “hello Rob” to me after working this particular scene with his K9 partner Nero. I reviewed the HN audio/video this morning and Sean’s nice gesture still warms my heart. Sean was a dog lover and I recently had lost my own beloved dog to cancer. Sean went out of his way to talk to me at scenes throughout that cold winter because he knew it was a difficult time for me. He was that type of guy… and like so very many, I miss him very much.)

[DA’S MEDIA STATEMENT]

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe announced [yesterday] that a Barnstable Superior Court Jury found Thomas Latanowich (DOB 7-14-88) guilty of Murder in the Second Degree in connection with the killing of Yarmouth police officer Sergeant Sean Gannon.

The jury deliberated for three days before returning a verdict Friday morning. The jury also found the defendant guilty of all additional indictments submitted to them.

The jury’s findings triggered a further indictment which could not be given to this jury until after their findings. That indictment alleged that based on the jury’s findings in the trial, the defendant was an armed career criminal.

Latanowich waived his right to have this jury hear the evidence in that case and instead plead guilty before Judge Locke. Judge Locke found Latanowich guilty and imposed the following sentences:

1. Murder G.L.c.265 §1 : life with parole eligibility at 25 years on and after the sentences below which run concurrent with each other

2. Aggravated A& B with a Dangerous Weapon G.L. c.265 §15A (c) (i) : merged into the Murder charge

3. Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon G.L.c.265 §15A (b) : merged into the Murder charge

4. Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony G.L.c.265 §18B : 10 -15 years state prison

5. Possession of Ammunition without an FID card G.L.c.269 §10 (h) : 18 months House of Correction

6. Mistreating a Police Dog G.L.c.272 §77A : 2 ½ years House of Correction

7. Armed Career Criminal G.L.c.269 §10G (c) : 10 – 15 years state prison

These sentences aggregate to a parole eligibility of a minimum of 35 years.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe remarked, “Though we would have preferred a Murder 1 verdict, this verdict was consistent with what conscientious jurors could have found. I want to congratulate the trial team of First Assistant District Attorney Mike Trudeau and Assistant District Attorney Dan Higgins and the police investigators who supported them for all the work they put into this case.

No one can understand the depth of the pain and anguish felt by the family over these years. Dara and Sean’s Mom and Dad and their extended family have conducted themselves with dignity and patience throughout this entire process and I thank them.”

First Assistant District Attorney Michael Trudeau said, “This has been a very difficult and emotional case and I thank the Judge and Jury for the time they spent on it. It is my hope that these verdicts give the Gannon family some sense that justice was served and provides some measure of closure for them moving forward.”

The matter was investigated by Barnstable Police, Yarmouth Police and State Police detectives assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office.

[ADDITIONAL MEDIA STATEMENT FROM CHIEF FRANK G. FREDERICKSON OF THE YARMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT]

We are greatly relieved to have the Trial of Sean Gannon’s murderer completed. Reaching a guilty verdict only ends one chapter in this tragedy. The Gannon family will have to continue on without Sean and will experience the heartbreak forever.

Sean’s brother and sister officers of the Yarmouth Police Department can now feel that there has been justice after waiting three anxious and long years. I am proud to say, that despite the loss of Sean, they come to serve our community with the utmost professionalism.

I would like to thank First Assistant District Attorney Michael Trudeau and Assistant District Attorney Dan Higgins for their exemplary in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. Many thanks go to the Barnstable Police, State Police Investigators, members of the Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Council SWAT and Superintendent Barney Murphy of the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office for their contributions throughout the warrant execution, investigation and prosecution.

From the moment we lost Sean, our community has shown their support to the Gannon’s and members of the Yarmouth Police Department. This genuine support spread across Cape Cod and beyond. I offer my heartfelt thanks to all who have and continue to show support.

For those who were with Sean when he was killed, I commend your courage and am sorry that you had to relive your actions on that fateful day. You are great people and exemplify the best in policing. You endured more than anyone should. Since Sean’s death, more details of his powerful and positive impact on others still continue to surface. It is quite evident that the world would be a better place if we could all be like Sean. So let’s remember what a wonderful person and exceptional and role model Sean was.

Respectfully,

Chief Frank G. Frederickson

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