Waterford Police Remember 9-Year Old Honorary Officer with New Portrait in Lobby

WATERFORD, CT – Nearly seven months after 9-year old honorary Waterford police officer Madeline Guarraia passed away, the department is still showing how much they miss the youngest officer on their force.

Guarraia passed away on April 7 of this year after losing a long battle with leukemia, however she was sworn in as an officer before this on March 30, 2015. The young officer had been out on patrol with officers, taking her job very seriously.

Guarraia was a source of inspiration to many people, including pop star Katy Perry who sent Guarraia a video message in January 2015. Perry said in the message that her famous song "Roar" is for her.

Officers at the Waterford Police Department were shaken by the news in April. They were also authorized to wear mourning bands on their badges in honor of Guarraia.

Now the department has found another way to honor their favorite young officer: a portrait hung in the department lobby.

The department wrote a lengthy Facebook post detailing the significance of the portrait, as well as Guarraia herself:

"As many of you know, our police department has a special bond with Officer Madeline Guarraia, our M-8.

"For many years, the Waterford Police Department has used money from the "Chief's Contributed Gifts" fund to have a local artist draw portraits of our deceased Officers. These pictures hang in our hallways, reminding current officers of those who served before us.

"The Pendleton Foundation, formed by our retired Chief and his family, reached out to us regarding a portrait of Officer Guarraia, and gave a generous donation. Coupled with money from the Chief's Contributed Gifts fund, we commissioned two portraits of Madeline in her Waterford Police uniform - one for the family, one for the Police Department.

"Special pins for our Officer's uniforms were made, and given by the Chief to those Officers who participated in the original presentation and tour for Madeline, as well as those who attended her funeral. This pin is framed with her photograph as shown in the pictures here.

"The money for these came from that same Chief's Contributed Gifts fund, which is made up of money donated to the police department for use in community based items like this.

"As Officer Guarraia was special to many local communities, we hung her picture in the Police Department lobby, so that anyone could see it when they stopped by. We encourage you to stop by and take a look.
Madeline is always with us in spirit, we just have a way of permanently commemorating her service with us now."

Image via Waterford Police Department.