Arlington Police Get Standing Ovation at Town Meeting

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Town Meeting members recognized Arlington police officers Monday for their work in the aftermath of last week’s bombing at the Boston Marathon.

The local officers assisted Boston police with operations, including the president’s arrival Thursday, and formed part of the perimeter around suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, when he was found hiding in a boat behind a Watertown home Friday, Chapdelaine said.

“Our men and women from the Arlington Police Department were there on the front lines helping to bring the suspect to justice,” he said at the beginning of Town Meeting’s opening session.

Lt. Ronald Kerr led the Arlington officers in Watertown, while Chief Frederick Ryan commanded the local officers in Boston, according to Chapdelaine.

Arlington assisted as part of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), a consortium of 54 departments that provides support to its members when they’re in need of help.

Chapdelaine said officers came back from or canceled vacations to make sure that the town had its full contingent of officers as well.

“They did this all because of their commitment to their jobs and their commitment to Arlington,” he said. “I’m proud to have each and every one of them as members of the Arlington Police Department, and I thank them for their service.”

Chapedelaine’s remarks were followed by a long standing ovation from the Town Meeting body.

The meeting started on a somber note, as Town Moderator John Leone asked for a moment of silence to remember Krystle Campbell, the 29-year-old Arlington resident and Medford native who was one of three people killed in the bombing, and all of the other victims.

“It could have been any of us,” he said.

As is tradition, Town Meeting members sang the National Anthem together to kick off the meeting.

Arlington residents also signed two condolences books in recent days – one for Campbell’s family, the other for the City of Boston.