After city officials ordered it, law enforcement has taken down a Thin Blue Line flag from a firetruck (a Blue Lives Matter effort to honor their slain brothers and sisters). Hingham Firefighters Local 2390, on the other hand, was told straight to take down the contentious flag from their fire truck because it is considered a sign of racism and hatred. The firefighters refused to follow orders.
Because the fire marshals refused to obey the city officials’ instructions, the cops were dispatched and carried out the command. It must have been difficult for the police officers to take down a flag that was intended to commemorate other police officers who had died in the line of duty. Nonetheless, they were forced to do so by order of the authorities, and as servants of the law, they complied and made it happen.
There was, however, more to the tale. The firefighters did not simply refuse to take down the Thin Blue Line banner – they worked with local cops to remove it in their own time. Community members wanted the flag removed, but first responders preferred to handle things their way.
“We were aware of an impending order to remove the flags from the apparatus,” the union wrote on its Facebook page. “We did not want to risk the chance of having these flags removed from the trucks in a disrespectful manner. The decision was made to conduct the removal of the flags on our own terms to provide the highest level of respect that they deserve.”
After 42-year-old Michael Chesna died while pursuing a suspect on foot, the controversial flags were given to the Weymouth Police Department. On July 15, 2018, the Weymouth Police Sergeant died during a foot pursuit and left behind two children.
The officer was not murdered by a member of the public or an animal. He didn’t die from heart disease or some other natural cause. Instead, the person he was chasing found a big rock and used it to bash Chesna on the head, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then tussled with Chesna until he was able to take away the officer’s service weapon. Then, after aiming his gun at the cop, shooting him several times in his head and body until he died.
Because the firetruck was adorned with the flag in part to commemorate Chesna, the Weymouth Police Department showed up on the day of its removal to assist.
“Police officers from the night shift, who worked alongside Sgt. Chesna removed the flags from our trucks,” the firefighters union said. “The flags will be brought to the Weymouth Police Headquarters, where they will continue to fly with honor.”
The local community supports the effort to commemorate Chesna.
“We will continue our unwavering support for our brothers and sisters in law enforcement and first responders everywhere,” the firefighters union said.
