MARBLEHEAD Detective Brendan Finnegan was hailed as a hero for saving Patrolman Jared Provost’s life during a choking incident at Patrolman Charlie Peabody’s retirement party last month. Clockwise from left: Lynnfield Police Chief Dave Breen, Patrolman Provost, Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello, retired Patrolman Charlie Peabody, Detective Finnegan, his wife Jen and their children, Lily, 11, and William, 10. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
LYNNFIELD — The alert and intuitive actions of a Marblehead police detective that saved the life of a Lynnfield patrolman was a cause for a celebration at Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting.
The events of that night nearly three weeks ago unfolded quickly at another celebration — the retirement party of 40-year patrolman Charlie Peabody — and averted a possible tragedy.
Brendan Finnegan, a detective on the Marblehead force, was a guest at that party and Lynnfield patrolman Jared Provost was on duty but had stopped by Spinelli’s on Route 1 to wish his colleague well and grab a bite to eat. Suddenly, the roast beef Provost was eating obstructed his airway and an initial attempt to dislodge it with the Heimlich maneuver was unsuccessful because he was wearing his protective body armor vest.
Lynnfield Police Chief Dave Breen recounted the events that unfolded for the board and the large contingent of Finnegan’s extended family in attendance at the meeting.
“He went from the dining room to a room off to the side and Detective Finnegan correctly observed what was occurring and assessed what needed to be done,” Breen said.
“He went with officer Jared Provost to the anteroom of the restroom, and his body armor, which was obstructing the ability to do the Heimlich, was removed. Detective Finnegan did what every officer is trained to do,” added Breen, noting that at such an event surrounded by crowds of people it was fortunate that Finnegan “was able to see what was happening and acted in the appropriate manner.”
It was dislodged on Finnegan’s first attempt and Provost was able to return to his shift.
“I certainly am very happy for the actions of Detective Finnegan,” Breen said.
Selectmen Chairman Dave Nelson invited Finnegan to introduce his family to the board, which included his wife Jen and their two children, Lily and William, as well as siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Also present was Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello.
Nelson thanked both the Lynnfield and Marblehead police departments for their roles in keeping communities safe. “I can’t say enough about public safety and what police departments do and how you put yourself on the line at any given time for any of us,” Nelson said.
“I think that what you did was a great thing; heroic,” Nelson told Finnegan before reading the proclamation to offer to him “our deep gratitude and convey to him the thanks of the citizens of Lynnfield, for the heroic actions described above.” It signed by himself as well as Selectmen Phil Crawford and Tom Terranova.
Provost, who joined the Lynnfield force a year ago, was on duty Monday night and stopped by the meeting to personally offer his thanks to Finnegan. “I’m very thankful he helped us out,” Provost said.
