Government

Watertown Police Chief Testified Before Congress

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Congress wanted to hear from someone with first hand experience dealing with a terrorist attack, so Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau went to Washington Wednesday. Deveau shared the lessons he and his department learned from the events of April 19, when officers faced off with the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects and ultimately caught the second suspect after a multi-hour manhunt. When an event like the one faced in Watertown last year, Deveau told the House Homeland Security Committee, the local law enforcement needs to “have access to the table” with the terrorism task force and right away, according to an Associated Press. See the report on Houston Chronicle site by clicking here. Deveau was joined by Watertown Police Sgt.

Police/Fire

Woman, 2 Teens Arrested for Shoplifting at Watertown Target

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A South Boston woman faces charge of shoplifting and coaxing two teens into taking items from Target in Watertown, according to police. Store security spotted Tara P. Mannion, 29, of South Boston, along with two girls -one 12 and one 14 – shoplifting on the night of April 6. “They were placing clothing and jewelry into a reusable bag,” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “The older female was instructing the other females what to place into the bags.” When they attempted to leave the store, security stopped them.

Government

Report Investigated Response to Bomber Manhunt in Watertown

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When the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects came to Watertown law enforcement and emergency personnel leapt into action and ultimately stopped the pair. A report recently published by Harvard University researchers examined how well agencies responded. The report, called “Why Was Boston Strong?: Lessons from the Boston Marathon Bombing” was produced by the Kennedy of School of Government’s Program on Crisis Leadership. Researchers used interviews with more than 100 people involved in the response to the bombing at the Marathon finish line as well as the shootout and manhunt in Watertown. The report concluded that the response at the finish line worked well in part because of the large presence of first responders already in place for the race, and because of good coordination.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Recounts Shootout with Bombing Suspect

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The anniversary of one of the most memorable days in Watertown history is coming up, and Police Chief Edward Deveau recently recounted the events of April 19, 2013. Deveau shared his memories with Foxsports.com, and recalled receiving a phone call from one of his officer who said “Chief, they’re shooting at us.” They, of course, are the Tsarnaev brothers who are the suspects in the Boston Marathon Bombing and in the killing of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier. He also talks about plans to run this year’s Boston Marathon. Read the entire article by clicking here.

Police/Fire

Boston Officials Announce Cause of Fire that Killed Fire Lt. Walsh

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The fire in the Back Bay that killed Boston Fire Lt. and Watertown native Edward Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy was sparked by welders doing work on the building, Boston officials said. The fire on March 26 started in 296 Beacon St., the building behind the home in which Walsh and Kennedy died in an explosion while fighting the blaze in the basement. During a press conference Friday morning Boston Fire Commissioner John Hasson said welders had been working on the building. “Sparks from the welding got under the clapboards, the fire ignited and got rolling,” Hasson said. “It was set off by wind off the Charles River and ultimately consumed the building.”

Around Town

Scenes from Fallen Firefighter Edward Walsh’s Final Farewell

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Watertown-native and Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh was remembered Wednesday as a kind, caring man who was devoted to both of his families – his wife, kids and mother, as well as the Boston Fire Department. Walsh died in a fire in the Back Bay on March 26 along with firefighter Michael Kennedy, and on Wednesday his funeral was held in the church in which he was baptized 43 years ago – St. Patrick’s Church. Firefighting runs in the Walsh family, said Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio. His father, Ed Sr., was on the Watertown Fire Department, along with two of Walsh’s uncles.

Police/Fire

See Photos from the Wake for Fallen Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh

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Firefighters from around the country pay respects to fallen Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh, a Watertown Native. Photo by Charlie Breitrose
Firefighters from far and wide filed into St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown Square Tuesday to pay their respects to fallen Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh. 

The 43-year-old Watertown native died fighting a fire in the Back Bay last week. On Tuesday, the downtown streets of his hometown were devoid of cars, but filled with firefighters and police officers in dress uniforms.

They showed up by the bus full and marched to the church on Main Street, just down the street from Town Hall and Watertown Fire Headquarters. They came from Walsh’s department in Boston, and from Watertown – where his father and uncles worked and where his cousin and brother-in-law now work.They were joined by firefighters from around Massachusetts, the east coast and and across the country.

Around Town

Watertown Roads, Parking Restrictions for Fallen Firefighter’s Wake, Funeral

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Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh of Watertown will be remembered with a wake Tuesday and funeral Wednesday. Photo: Boston Fire Dept. Fallen Boston Firefighter and Watertown native Edward Walsh will be remembered with a wake on Tuesday and funeral on Wednesday, causing some roads in Watertown Square to be closed and parking restrictions.The Watertown Police Department announced a list of roads to be closed during the services for Lt. Walsh, one of two Boston firefighters killed last week in a fire in the Back Bay. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1989 and his mother worked for the school district, according to School Committee Chairwoman Eileen Hsu-Balzer. The wake is Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St.