Honoring the Victims of the Boston Bombings

Floor Speech

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Mr. COWAN. I am honored to join the senior Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in this resolution to honor those who were injured or who lost their lives last week as a result of the attack on the Boston Marathon and during the manhunt to apprehend the suspects.

In this resolution the Senate commends the heroism, courage, and sacrifices of Sean Collier, an officer in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology police force, and Richard Donohue, Jr., an officer in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police force.

Officer Collier was a 26-year-old native of Wilmington, MA, and was on the force for just over a year in his dream job, a police officer. Before joining the ranks at MIT, Officer Collier served as a civilian employee with the Somerville Police Department, and likely because of his outstanding service at MIT he was going to be invited to return to Somerville in June of this year, this time as an officer.

On Thursday evening last, Officer Collier was murdered in the line of duty, allegedly by the men suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings of last week. MIT Police Chief John DiFave said the following about Officer Collier:

Sean was one of these guys who really looked at police work as a calling. He was born to be a police officer.

Officer Collier was compassionate and stood out for his ability to connect personally with the students and community he served. We will never forget his devotion to protecting the community of MIT and serving as a police officer. He will be sincerely missed. I honor the exemplary service of Officer Collier and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

Last week MBTA police officer Richard Donohue, Jr. was working to protect the public at the Boston Marathon, and early Friday morning he raced to assist Cambridge police as they pursued the suspect who shot an MIT officer in Watertown, MA. What Officer Donohue may not have known was that officer down at MIT was his friend and fellow police academy classmate Sean Collier.

In the ensuing gun battle, showing remarkable courage and disregard for his own safety, Officer Donohue endured a barrage of gunfire and explosives unleashed by these suspects, and he himself was seriously wounded. Officer Donohue is recovering from his wounds and remains in critical but stable condition. I wish to thank Officer Donohue for his service, and I wish him a speedy recovery. As he heals, our thoughts are with the entire Donohue family, especially his wife Kim and their young son, who are a constant presence at his hospital bedside.

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