Weymouth shooting: Family, friends remember Officer Michael Chesna's legacy

Family and friends are remembering the legacy of fallen Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna, one of the two victims in a deadly shooting on Sunday.

The suspect in the incident, Emanuel Lopes, allegedly threw a large stone at Chesna, forcing him to drop his gun before Lopes took the weapon and shot Chesna multiple times.

>>MORE: Weymouth shooting: Police officer fatally shot, civilian also killed

Chesna leaves behind a wife and two children, and family members are left heartbroken after the tragedy.

Chesna's father-in-law told Boston 25 News the officer was "the nicest man you could ever meet", and the support for the fallen officer was visible in a growing memorial outside the Weymouth Police Department.

"It's an awful event," Nicole Cincotta said. "Someone's life changes in a split second. His wife, his kids, it's upsetting."

Weymouth Mayor Bob Hedlund told Boston 25 News that Chesna had lived in Weymouth his entire life, and said the death hits especially hard, coming just three months after the death of Sergeant Sean Gannon in Yarmouth.

"This kind of demonstration of lack of regard for life, lack of respect for authority, it's just outrageous," Hedlund said.

Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson has gone through this type of incident before, and it's not one he wants to have to experience again.

"All I can do is offer the little bit of experience I have, and it's not experience that most people want to have," Frederickson said. "I cannot stop thinking about the officer's family, and how we need to be there for them forever."

Hedlund said the town has been showing support by putting blue lights out their windows and on porches to show support for police.

Hedlund added so many people have purchased the lights that they're completely sold out in several Weymouth stores.

"I want the town to glow for the Weymouth Police Department and Officer Chesna's memory," Dennis Brooks said, after spreading the word about the lights.

Rick Curtis, a Weymouth business owner, has owned a liquor store in the town for 42 years, and recalls several positive interactions with Sergeant Chesna. He's also a long-time friend of Chesna's father-in-law.

"Every once in a while, if I got an alarm at night, he was there," Curtis said. "They put their life on the line everyday, and we're eternally grateful and all of our thoughts and hearts and prayers go out to the families."

One of Chesna's friend paid special tribute to the fallen officer, leaving a basketball inscribed with a note after the tragedy.

Cincotta grew up in Weymouth, and went Monday morning to tie black and blue ribbons around telephone poles outside the department to show her support.

>>MORE: Weymouth shooting: Community shows outpouring of support

"Horrible things happen all the time, and there's nothing you can do about it," Cincotta said. "He was almost off of his shift. It's just upsetting."

People flocked to Weymouth from all over the state to pay their respects, leaving tributes for Chesna at the memorial.

"I just feel so bad for first responders who are out there now," Braintree native Cheryl Reade said. "You never know what's gonna happen, and they're always answering the call. Always."

Cox Media Group