'Wonderful Young Man': Massachusetts Officer Killed While Serving Warrant Remembered
BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) — Condolences are coming in from across the country after a K-9 officer was shot and killed while serving a warrant at a Massachusetts home Thursday.
State police say 32-year-old Yarmouth Officer Sean Gannon was shot Thursday afternoon in Barnstable, on Cape Cod. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Gannon was among the officers serving an arrest warrant at the home.
State police say Gannon's police dog Nero was injured.
Dennis Veterinary Hospital posted on Facebook that Nero was shot in the face and neck but has been stabilized and faces surgery Friday.
"My heart goes out to all the YPD, Gannon family, Cape SWAT and all our amazing officers. I'll miss Sean. He was a role model in every way. God Bless," Dr. Kevin Smith of Hyannis Animal Hospital wrote on the veterinary hospital's Facebook page.
The department also thanked everyone for their support.
The suspect, 29-year-old Tom Latanowich, of Somerville, was taken into custody after a standoff with police.Latanowich made a brief appearance in Barnstable District Court on Friday and is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to murder.
A judge said she would appoint a lawyer for the man authorities describe as a career criminal. Latanowich had 114 prior offenses, Boston 25 reported.
Yarmouth Chief Frank Frederickson said the 8-year veteran, was a "wonderful young man" with a promising career ahead of him.
As Gannon's body was brought from Cape Cod Hospital to the Medical Examiner’s Office at Otis Air Force Base, police officers and first responders formed a massive procession in his honor.
Many agencies and civilians expressed their condolences on social media.
With a heavy heart 💙, our condolences go out tonight to our brothers & sisters of the @yarmouthpolice & to Officer Sean Gannon's family & friends. We are also praying tonight for the recovery of Officer Gannon's K9 partner, who was also injured in today's tragic incident.#LODD pic.twitter.com/9ITeLFi3bq
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) April 13, 2018
Please keep this officer and his family in your thoughts tonight.
— SalemPD (@SalemNHPolice) April 12, 2018
If you need us we are here.
Officer Sean Gannon
Yarmouth Police Department
E.O.W. 4/12/18 https://t.co/LQgFcC7JT3
Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Sean Gannon of the Yarmouth Police Department in Massachusetts, who was shot and killed by a barricaded suspect, his K9 partner was wounded but survived. #NeverForget #RIP pic.twitter.com/FflXMkmpwm
— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) April 13, 2018
A memorial also has been set up outside the Yarmouth Police Department.
Officer Sean Gannon’s cruiser is parked outside the @yarmouthpolice station this morning with bunting on the side.
— Jessica Reyes (@jessicamreyes) April 13, 2018
It was towed from the scene where he went to serve a warrant and was shot and killed yesterday. #RIP 💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/gHZTTxvvVi
