By Seth Daniel
Hundreds of law enforcement contingents from around the state converged on Everett’s Woodlawn Cemetery Monday in a procession that stretched for blocks in honor of fallen Everett Police Officer Glen Briley, 44, who died suddenly while on patrol Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Motorcycles, police cruisers, and police SUVs from Boston, Tyngsboro, Lincoln, Lowell, Melrose, Watertown, Revere, Chelsea, Quincy, Natick and many more communities travelled to Everett from the site of the funeral in Tewksbury Monday morning. They caravanned from Tewksbury down I-93 and onto the Parkway, where they journeyed through Everett – stopping at the Everett Police Station on the way.
At Woodlawn, the powerful contingent passed under an American flag suspended by Everett Fire ladder trucks over the main entrance to Woodlawn.
By 12:45 p.m., the family, friends, city officials and the hearse had arrived in Woodlawn for the interment, which included an estimated 1,000 law enforcement officials.
Briley, of Billerica, was a 19-year veteran of the Everett Police Department and a native of Everett. He began as a patrolmen in December 1996 and served as a member of the uniformed Patrol Division. He leaves behind his wife, Jeannine, and two children, Erin and Ryan.
The officer was found unresponsive in his marked cruiser on the morning of Dec. 9. There were no signs of foul play and he is believed to have died of natural causes.
Mayor Carlo DeMaria said the loss was particularly tough as he knew Briley well and attended Everett High School with him.
“First of all, my thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Briley’s family,” said DeMaria. “This is a terrible loss for his family and it is a terrible loss for the City of Everett. This is also very difficult for me personally, because Glen was a classmate of mine at Everett High School, and he was one of the most well-liked and respected members of the Everett Police Department. He will be greatly missed.”
Chief Steven Mazzie said it was a tragic loss for the department during the holiday season.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Glen Briley,” said Mazzie. “He was a valued member of the Everett Police Department family and we know his loss is felt by all that know him. It’s an even more difficult situation to lose him during the holiday season, so we will be doing our best to focus on his family and help them heal from this tragic event.”
The Everett Police Facebook page has been barraged with comments since a posting announcing Officer Briley’s death was placed. There were some 600 comments on the post since Dec. 9.
“’Mr. Briley’ as he was known by the members of the department – was always quick with a smile and always in a positive mood,” read the Department’s Facebook post. “He will be missed by all at the EPD. Rest well Mr. Briley; your watch has ended.”
The hearse carrying the late Officer Glen Briley arrives at Woodlawn Monday just before 1 p.m. under the American flag set up by the Everett Fire Department.