The Sons of the Legion from The American Legion Nonantum Post 440 hosted their 10th annual Police Appreciation Day to celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Thursday January 9 from 5:30-8:30PM. The event followed the City of Newton’s Promotional Oath of Office Ceremony to honor the promotions of several distinguished officers within the Newton Police Department (NPD).
For the first hour and a half, the Legion provided dinner and drinks for guests. The evening was supported and catered by numerous local businesses, including: Blue Ribbon BBQ, Cabot’s Ice Cream and Restaurant, Cabot Estates, C&N Pizza and Grille, D&A House of Pizza, Moldova Restaurant and Café, New England Soup Kitchen, O’Hara’s Food & Spirits, Olivia’s Bistro, Pizzeria Artigianale DaPosta, and the Village Cafe.
Former Cabot’s owner Joe Prestejohn has been helping to cater the event since its inception 10 years ago and said that he seeks to support the NPD any way possible.
“I have some relatives in law enforcement [and] many friends over the years,” he said. “I understand the difficulties it is, being in it, and the way the community sees them sometimes, and they need all the appreciation that they can get.”
The official ceremony, which began with a procession from the Honor Guard, was MC’d by event organizer Paul Pasquarosa, who was introduced by Sons of the Legion Vice Commander Kevin McNamara. McNamara also led a group sing-along of “God Bless America.” Additionally, the invocation and benediction was given by Sons of the Legion chaplain Al Cecchinelli.
Numerous speakers gave their remarks during the ceremony, including:
- Donnie Gentile, Commander of the American Legion
- Mayor Ruthanne Fuller
- Donna Cottons, President of the American Legion Auxiliary
- Tyrone Powell, retired Newton Police Officer
- Billy Byrne, retired Newton Police Detective
- Tom Mountain, relaying prepared remarks from the keynote speaker, former Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson
In a tradition for the event, Byrne performed a reading of “The Sheepdog” from the movie The American Sniper, saying that the protection police officers provide for the community is like that of a sheepdog protecting sheep.
“There’s three types of people in this world. There’s the sheep that basically doesn’t bother anybody, there’s the wolf who would prey on innocent people and do damage and cause chaos at any point,” he said. “Then there’s the sheepdog that watches over the sheep, and in times of trouble, the sheep dog is like a police officer, the necessary evil. They’re not appreciated until the wolf attacks.”
Mountain, who spoke on behalf of Former Sheriff Hodgson, said that he was happy to provide the keynote address and that he has great respect for Hodgson.
“I felt very honored and privileged to speak on behalf of my dear friend, the sheriff, who’s a true patriot,” he said. “He and I know each other through political circles. He was also the Massachusetts Chair of the Trump campaign in 2020 and 2024, I was one of the vice chairs of that campaign. Unfortunately, he got severe bronchitis and asked me to speak in his stead. So I did.”
As part of the ceremony, two awards were presented to distinguished officers within the NPD. Officers Dave Schaefer, Bobby March, and Katelyn Pohlman, along with special recognition for Newton Fire Department Firefighter Joey Pine, were honored with the Community Service Award for their work organizing the First Annual Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament in memory of the late Captain Spalding. Additionally, Officer Jeff Mace received the Top Cop Award, voted on by his peers in the department, “for his outstanding dedication and service.”
Additionally Virginia Gardner of the American Legion Auxiliary presented Mayor Fuller with roses to honor her last year in office.
Sergeant of Arms for the American Legion Auxiliary Sande Young said that after 10 years, the event has only grown and that it is necessary for the community to appreciate the police department.
“We started off doing it in the police station, and it got bigger and bigger every year,” she said. “Now it’s turned into this big thing, which is a really good thing, because the community needs to realize that the police are keeping us safe here. What would life be without them? It’s a good thing, and the police need to be appreciated.”
Pasquarosa said that he is glad that he and the Legion are distinct in providing a way to support law enforcement.
“It’s very gratifying for me,” he said. “I know what goes into doing it, but the feedback I get from the police officers is how appreciative they are of this. Talking to several people, not only the Chief, but people as well, no other town does a celebration for their officers. We do and we’re proud to do it.”
Bella Ishanyan is a Fig City News student reporter, Massachusetts High School Journalist of the Year, and a freshman at UMass Amherst.
