After learning about the murder of a Massachusetts police officer, pop singer Taylor Swift offered free concert tickets to the city’s mourning first responders.
Sgt. Michael Chesna was killed in the line of duty earlier this month along with Vera Adams, a 77-year-old widow fatally shot while sitting in the sunroom of her Weymouth home, according to The Patriot Ledger.
Thousands of police officers pay respects at funeral of slain Weymouth cop, Sgt. Michael Chesna pic.twitter.com/KSWUlZoMXx
— Boston Herald Video (@BosHeraldVideo) July 20, 2018
Robert Hedlund, mayor of Weymouth, said Swift offered “a significant number of tickets” to the town, which were handed out to local police officers and firefighters, including those in the neighboring towns of Quincy and Hingham.
REST IN PEACE: Aerial footage shows a sea of Massachusetts first responders gathered for the funeral of slain Weymouth police officer Michael Chesna, killed Sunday – with his wife and two children welcoming the line of officers at the church. https://t.co/8OVAGJQ00j pic.twitter.com/CL7dOQSAB5
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) July 20, 2018
“My understanding is that they did it low-key and weren’t looking for publicity,” he said. “There were enough to send every police officer, firefighter and extended family to the concert, and then some.”
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Hedlund described Swift’s kind gesture as “absolutely generous, significant and appreciated.” The tickets are for the singer’s concert Saturday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Attending a funeral for a cop you’re privileged to lead is one of the worst days for any chief. Spoke to @WeymouthPD Chief Richard Grimes this morning to offer my condolences on the tragic loss of Sgt. Michael Chesna. Proud to see NYPD & others showing support at today’s service. pic.twitter.com/NV52MSpVcn
— Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) July 20, 2018
The 42-year-old police officer, a Purple Heart recipient who served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, was posthumously promoted to sergeant after being killed by suspected gunman Emanuel Lopes, 20, who has also been accused of killing Adams, The Boston Herald reported.
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Chesna joined the U.S. Army following the deadly terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, knowing it would bring him closer to fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a police officer.
He is survived by his wife Cynthia and their two children, 9-year-old Olivia and 4-year-old Jack.