Chief details marathon bombing response

By Guest

Editor’s note: Police Chief Ken Berkowitz submitted the following summary of the Canton Police Department’s involvement in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, including the subsequent manhunt for the second suspect on Friday, April 19, in Watertown.

The town of Canton is part of a law enforcement continuum called the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council. It is made up of 50 towns that surround Boston. Currently I am the first vice president and I am also the chief of their Tactical Motorcycle Division.

Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz (center) with CPD Officer Brian Wanless (right) and Stoughton Police Officer Brian Smith

We were activated within a half hour of the bombing. I reported to Boston Police Headquarters where I helped to coordinate and plan the response of 100 specially trained local police officers. We were immediately deployed to every major hotel and hospital to protect against any further attacks. Throughout the week we continued this assignment 24 hours a day. We worked 12-hour shifts on with 12 hours off. We also conducted high visibility patrols of the downtown area, ending Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park.

* Canton motorcycle officers Donald Wolffe, Brian Wanless, Glen Piro, Mike Lank and Glen Nix took part in these patrols. Officers Wolffe, Wanless and I helped with the escort and security for the president and first lady and also responded to Watertown to help set up a perimeter and search for the suspect.

* SWAT Officer Scott Brown responded initially and all week in Boston and was also involved in the Watertown search.

* Canton Police K9 Bosco was involved daily with Officer Brown in Boston and assisted with the search in Watertown.

* Detective Paul Gallagher helped with interviews through the DEA Task Force.

* Deputy Chief Helena Findlen and Lt. Tom Keleher relieved me in the Tactical Operation Center in Boston. Lt. Patty Sherrill was on her way into Boston just after the Watertown shootout but was reassigned to oversee the daily operations of the Canton Police Department while I responded to Watertown.

* Every Canton police officer volunteered to do whatever was necessary, either at home or in Boston. The entire Canton Police Department was involved as we continued our mission to protect the town of Canton and help with the search for the suspects.

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