What to Know
- Cindy Chesna, widow of Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna, received a receipt for her paid-off mortgage from Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
- Chesna was shot to death July 15, 2018, after responding to a crashed vehicle.
- Since 2015, the foundation has provided $7 million in mortgage payments for families of first responders killed in the line of duty.
The widow of a Massachusetts police sergeant recently killed in the line of duty no longer has to worry about her mortgage payments.
Surrounded by family and friends at the Weymouth Police Department on Thursday, Cindy Chesna, the widow of Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna, received a receipt for her paid-off mortgage from Frank Siller of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
"You're never going to have to worry about another mortgage payment," said Siller.
Siller's foundation, named after a New York City firefighter killed in the 9/11 terror attacks, presented the check after raising enough money to pay off the mortgage of the family's Hanover home.
"I just want to thank the Tunnel to Towers Foundation," said Chesna. "It’s just amazing how everyone has come together and helped my family and I can’t express enough thanks to everybody."
Michael Chesna was shot to death July 15 after responding to a crashed vehicle. Authorities say Chesna was standing in the middle of the street when Emanuel Lopes, 20, threw a rock - hitting him in the head and causing Chesna to fall to the ground and drop his gun.
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Lopes then picked up the gun and stood over Chesna, shooting him 10 times - five toward his head and five at his chest and legs, according to court documents.
An innocent bystander, 77-year-old Vera Adams, was also shot and killed by Lopes when she saw him through her window.
The foundation stepped up to help the Chesna family which includes the late sergeant's two children, 9-year-old Olivia and 4-year-old Jack.
"This home for the Chesna family is their safe place," said Siller. "We want to honor the sacrifice but we want to do something good as well."
Since 2015, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided $7 million in mortgage payments for families of first responders killed in the line of duty.
For Chesna's wife and children, as well as the Weymouth Police Department, the act of kindness is something that means so much.
"To take that off of their plates at this difficult time is huge," said Weymouth Police Chief Richard Grimes.
