Boston, MA May 31, 2017 – Each May members of the law enforcement community from across the country travel to Washington, D.C. to mark National Police Week. One highlight of the week for those making the trip from the New England region is the reception hosted by the Friends of New England’s Finest (FONEF) and chaired by O’Neill and Associates CEO Thomas P. O’Neill III. FONEF began hosting the reception in 2013 to thank the officers who had so bravely protected our loved ones during the Patriot’s Day bombing and horrible aftermath. Now an annual event, we take the time to honor the fallen as well as thank the men and women who continue to serve in these trying times. Every year the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund adds the names of heroes to its memorial and holds a candlelight vigil to honor those men and women. You can find out about every officer on the memorial at nleomf.org.
The New England Officers honored this year are: Trooper Thomas L. Clardy, MA
; Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr., MA; Officer Ryan J. Bourque, RI;
New England Natives Officer Ashley Marie Guindon, VA; Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila, FL
; Officer Michael Leslie Krol, TX.

Additional Previous Line of Duty Deaths added to the Memorial in 2017
: Sergeant Charles Bradley, MA; Sergeant Richard Dever, MA; Patrolman William Furdon, MA; Lieutenant Rene Goupil, ME; Patrol Officer Edward Landers, MA; Patrolman Louis Phipps, MA
; Officer Joseph Ribeiro, MA; Patrolman Benjamin Voss, MA; Inspector Ralph Young, CT. FONEF and O’Neill and Associates are very grateful for the generosity of lead sponsor TransCOR Information Technologies. TransCOR has been a strong supporter of law enforcement for years and a sponsor since the first FONEF reception. We especially thank TransCOR President Tom Haywood, Bob Ducasse and the entire TransCOR team. FONEF also appreciates event co-sponsor Panasonic’s generosity and support for law enforcement as well as co-sponsor Bertucci’s for its support of this reception and several other law enforcement endeavors throughout the year.

The 2017 reception was the largest gathering yet with well over 300 officers from across New England, and for the second year in a row we enjoyed the talented Metro Richmond Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. The goal is to have the opportunity to thank every New England officer who makes the trip to DC for National Police Week. We look forward to seeing everyone again next May 13th at the FONEF reception. Of course we do not have to wait until National Police Week to thank a police officer for serving and protecting our communities.