Massachusetts

Facebook Post Featuring Slain Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna Creates Controversy

A Facebook post by a Massachusetts police department is creating some controversy online.

The post by the Sutton Police Department features a photo of slain Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna with the words, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."

It's the same slogan and artwork used in the controversial Nike ads featuring Colin Kaepernick.

"I think they probably could have re-thought it a little bit," said Jane Clark of Grafton.

Some residents were upset by the post in the context of what Kaepernick was protesting.

"I don’t think it's necessary because it's almost like if they do that, then it looks like they're taking sides," said Sandra Barnes of Uxbridge.

"I just don't see why they would use a fallen police officer to present something like that, it just seems taken out of context," added Jason Leary of Millbury.

Others, like veteran Al Clark, think it's being blown out of proportion.

"You can’t say one thing without somebody being offended by it," he said.

"It's simply saying, I think, if you want to compare Colin Kaepernick's situation compared to a slain police officer when you say you've sacrificed anything, I don't know how anyone could compare the two," said Sutton Police Lt. David Perry.

He said the photo the department posted was part of an online campaign by Illinois-based law enforcement publication Calibre Press.

Perry says he wants to assure residents it was not meant to be political.

"It was not meant in any way to be derogatory or be racial or be divisive," said Perry. "It was merely more to support a local slain police officer."

Forty-two-year-old Chesna was fatally shot July 15 by Emanuel Lopes, 20, after responding to a call for a crashed vehicle. An innocent bystander, Vera Adams, 77, was also killed after Lopes allegedly opened fire on her.

NBC10 Boston/necn reached out to the Weymouth Police Department to get their impression of the post and they did not return calls seeking comment.

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