Over 100 first responders compete in honor of Collier
OVER 130 local first responders took part in the the 3rd annual Boston Strong First Responder Basketball Tournament held May 16-17 at Melrose High School, an event that honored late M.I.T. Officer Sean Collier. Both Melrose Police and Melrose Fire Department formed a team to compete in the 2-day event. The tournament was won by Massachusetts State Police East, pictured with Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan and Melrose Alderman Jennifer Lemmerman, sister of the late Officer Collier. For more on the two day tournament see our Sport section. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — Over 130 local first responders took part in the the third annual Boston Strong First Responder Basketball Tournament held May 16-17 at Melrose High School, an event that honors slain M.I.T. Officer Sean Collier.
Proceeds from the two day, double elimination basketball tournament went to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through the Sean Collier Memorial Fund, which helps benefit the Jimmy Fund. The event was sponsored by the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Melrose High School Athletics Dept., The City of Melrose Recreation Dept. and IAABO Board 27.
Family members of Officer Collier were on hand, including stepfather Joe Rogers and sister Jennifer Lemmerman, current Melrose alderman. On Sunday at the completion of the tournament, Lemmerman and Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan presented the winning trophy to the ultimate victor, Massachusetts State Police (East) team who reached the finals against rival Massachusetts State Police (West).
Among the local teams who took part in the tournament were Melrose Fire & Police, Boston Police Drug & Gang Unit, Watertown & Belmont Police, Massachusetts General Hospital Police, Chelsea Fire, Milton Police, Arlington First Responders, Pro EMS, Massachusetts State Police East, Massachusetts State Police West, the Beta Blockers and the Expendables.
Melrose first responders competed in a team made up of Melrose Police Officers and Melrose Firefighters which included Steve Judge, Jimmy DeMartino, Keenan Martin, John Glabicky, Mike Plummer, Chuck Byrne, Marc Constantine, Sam Parsons, Willy Stare, Brian Trainor, Dan Hanley, Matt Brammer, John Goodhue, Paul Lepore and Paul McNamara. Helping at the scoreboard were Nick Anderson and Joe Siciliano from the Melrose High School Stand Up to Cancer Organization.
