Worcester Police Officer and Local Boy Drown in Accident, and in Braintree 2 Police Shot, K-9 Killed

Saturday, June 05, 2021

GoLocalWorcester News Team

}Worcester police officer Emanuel “Manny” Familia

Worcester police officer Emanuel “Manny” Familia drowned Friday while attempting to rescue three teens who were struggling in the water at Green Hill Pond.

He leaves a wife and two children.

A 14-year-old boy, whom officers tried to save, also drowned in the incident.

Familia, 38, a member of the Worcester Police Department for five years, was pulled from the pond by divers from the city Fire Department.

"The Worcester Police Department has lost a brother, a friend and a partner," said Police Chief Steven M. Sargent at an evening news conference in front of headquarters. "The city of Worcester has lost a hero."

Braintree Shooting

It was not the only tragedy for Massachusetts law enforcement on Friday. Two Massachusetts police officers were injured and a police K-9 and the suspect were killed Friday in a shooting during an investigation into a domestic dispute, authorities said.

The two Braintree officers were each shot multiple times after they went searching for the suspect who had fled into the woods, authorities said.

The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office identified the man shot to death as Andrew Homen, 34, who had a recent address in Brockton.

Governor Charlie Baker announced on twitter, “In honor and remembrance of the MA first responders lost today in the line of duty, @WorcesterPD Officer Enmanuel "Manny" Familia and @BraintreePolice K9 Kitt, I have ordered all U.S. and Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings until further notice.”