Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Welcomes Six New Officers

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The Watertown Police Department has half a dozen new police officers patrolling the streets after the WPD’s latest recruits were sworn in on Thursday afternoon. Police Chief Michael Lawn welcomed the new officers: Megan Murphy, Kyle Rooney, Don Pham, Lauren Giordano, Michael Del Russo and Colin Geaghan. All six made it through the WPD’s vetting process, including numerous interviews, a background investigation, physical and psychological testing. Then they attended a 24-week Police Academy. The new officers have already experienced an intense situation.

Fatal Collision

Man Charged With Stabbing Tow Truck Driver Held Without Bail

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Phillip Horner held without bail accused of attempting to stab to death tow truck driver who hit and killed his mother Benita in Watertown. #wbz pic.twitter.com/XsD0nqo9HE
— Beth Germano (@BethWBZ) September 20, 2018

The man who allegedly stabbed a tow truck driver, who hit and killed the man’s mother, was held without bail after his arraignment on a charge of armed assault with intent to murder on Thursday afternoon. Philip Horner, 38, of Quincy, faces charges after the incident that took place at the intersection of Nonantum Road and Galen Street late Wednesday morning. The tow truck struck Benita Horner, 68, of Belmont, who died at the scene. Thursday afternoon, Waltham District Court Judge Gregory Flynn ordered Horner to be held without bail.

Police/Fire

Pedestrian Struck, Killed by Tow Truck in Watertown, Driver Stabbed Multiple Times

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A woman crossing the road was struck by a tow truck and killed in the intersection of Galen and Nonantum streets, then a man known to the woman attacked the driver of the truck, who was taken to hospital with injuries. The incident in the major intersection across the Charles River from Watertown Square occurred about 11:20 a.m., according to a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The accident remains under investigation and the man who allegedly stabbed the driver was taken into custody. An investigation of the incident continues this afternoon in the intersection, and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area. The Middlesex DA’s office sent out the following press release:
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Watertown Chief of Police Michael Lawn have confirmed that an investigation is underway in Watertown today following a fatal pedestrian collision and an apparent non-fatal stabbing.

Middlesex District Attorney

Middlesex DA, Watertown Police Investigating Death of Infant in Watertown

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Watertown first responders went to a call Thursday afternoon for an unresponsive infant, who was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. The cause of death is being investigated by the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. All child deaths are investigated, according to the DA’s office. Local news channels reported police activity near the Strawberry Childcare Center in the former Parker School. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following announcement:
Today at 2:16 p.m. Watertown Police responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive infant on Watertown Street in Watertown.

Choking

Watertown Man Honored For Saving Woman Choking on Food

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Daniel Petkiewich has worked at Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown for three and a half years, and when he realized a diner was choking on food he leapt into action to save the woman’s life. 

The Watertown Police Department honored Petkiewich for his heroic actions with a certificate and a special coin on Wednesday. He learned choking safety techniques when he was a manager at Joe’s for a time. Petkiewich also credits his training as a member of the U.S. Army. “I was in for 11 years, active and Reserve,” Petkiewich said. “We were trained, but not usually for that type of choking.”

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Looking for Residents for Citizen Police Academy

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This fall, the Watertown Police Department will once again host the Citizen Police Academy, and residents are invited to register. The 2018 Citizen Police Academy will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and will run one night a week for eight weeks from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Applications must be received by Sept. 10, 2018. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following letter:

As the Watertown Police Department advances its community policing efforts, it is important to have citizen-police interaction and cooperation.