A wreath was laid next to the memorial to honor the fallen officers.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — So far in 2016, 35 police officers have died in the line of duty.
Those 35 join the national total of more than 20,000 officers who died or were killed while doing their job.
Last year, 128 officers "made the ultimate sacrifice."
"These are the men and women who put on their equipment and purposefully stride toward the scene of gunfire, violence, destruction and chaos when many other people would turn and run away," Police Chief Michael Wynn said.
On Monday, law enforcement representatives from a number of local police department, the district attorney's office, and state and local elected officials joined on a windy and cold day to remember those fallen officers.
Five officers related to Pittsfield have paid the "ultimate sacrifice": Capt. Michael Leonard, in 1898; Jailer James Fuller, 1901; Secret Service Operative William Craig, 1902; Officer Leo Sullivan, 1956; and Officer Timothy Shepard, 1988.
"For many many years on or near national police week, the Pittsfield Police Department has commemorated it by holding our own local services," Wynn said.
National Police Week was first established in 1962 with May 15 being recognized as the national police officer memorial day and the week being police week. In 1994 President Bill Clinton amended the resolution and required all flags outside of federal building be at half staff on May 15.
Pittsfield holds a ceremony annually and on Monday, Mayor Linda Tyer read a proclamation recognizing the week in the city of Pittsfield.
"Today we pay our respects to those officers who are enshrined on our memorial, who served and protected Pittsfield for generations. By the very nature of their calling, law enforcement officers willingly and without hesitation put their lives on the line in service to us," Tyer said.
"Their courage, training, and dedication keep us safe even as they put themselves in harm's way."
Monday's ceremony featured the Pittsfield Police Department honor guard raising a flag to half staff outside of the station; an invocation by the Chaplin Russell Moody; poems from Det. Kim Bertelli-Hunt and PPD Officers Wives Group member Marissa Kirchner; roll call and echo of the officers killed in the city; the playing of taps by Ray Kinsella and the singing of "Amazing Grace" by Mary Brinton.
"It is awe inspiring when you step back and think about what the members of the law enforcement community here in Pittsfield, in the Berkshires, throughout the Commonwealth and our country, do every single day," state Sen. Benjamin Downing said.
"We take it for granted all too much. We take it for granted all too often. The least we can do as a community is come together and say thank you to the fine men and women who do that every single day."
Comments were kept brief because of high winds and temperatures in the 30s, a contrast from last year's bright and sunny day for the ceremony. Allen Street was closed off from Federal to East Street for the city's stage to hold the ceremony and reopened after the ceremony, when many joined the officers inside the station for refreshments.
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Pittsfield Officials: Unlimited Trash Not Sustainable, Toters Offer Cost-Savings
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unlimited trash pickup is not sustainable and will lead to higher taxes, city officials say.
Mayor Peter Marchetti began public outreach on Monday on the proposed five-year contract with Casella Waste Management for solid waste and recyclables. Older residents packed into the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center for the first of three community meetings.
On the table is a move to automated pickup utilizing 48-gallon toters, which would be at no cost to residents unless they require additional toters and would save the city $80,000 per year.
The goal is to execute a contract by July 1, the start of the fiscal year.
"Trash collection is not free. You're already paying for it as part of your taxes that you pay. In this administration, in this proposal there is no 'I'm looking to create a trash tax,''' Marchetti said, explaining that trash pickup for fiscal year 2025 is around $5.1 million and has doubled since he first served on the council in 2002.
"So we need to find a way to stem the cost of trash."
Some of the seniors praised the new plan while others had concerns, asking questions like "What is going to happen to the trash cans we have now?" "What if I live in rural Pittsfield and have a long driveway?" and "What happens if my toter is stolen?"
"I've lived in a lot of other places and know this is a big innovation that is taking place over the last 20,30 years," one resident said. "It's worked in most places. It's much better than throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road."
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