Peabody Remembers 'A True Gentleman' In Officer Henry Breckenridge

PEABODY, MA — The Peabody Police Department is mourning the loss of Officer Henry Breckenridge and the tremendous impact he made on the city, especially on its youth community, after Breckenridge died from surgery complications at Salem Hospital.

Chief Thomas Griffin called Breckenridge "one of the nicest and most gentle people I have had the honor to know" in announcing the officer's death to the community on Thursday morning.

"Henry was an outstanding police officer with a firm grasp of community policing and as a dedicated member of our team, he will be greatly missed," Griffin said.

Griffin said Breckenridge suffered from the complications during a non-emergency surgery and died "despite the heroic efforts of the Salem Hospital staff."

Griffin said Breckenridge had a laughter and smile "we will forever remember" and was particularly influential within the city's youth community.

"There has been an outpouring of support in his honor from many young people whose lives he has impacted in a positive way," Griffin said. "These are testaments to the caliber of his character, which include authenticity, kindness and compassion."

Peabody Superintendent of Schools called Breckenridge "an amazing person and an integral part of our schools and community."

"As we struggle to find the right words, we extend our deepest condolences," the Peabody-Lynnfield-North Reading girls hockey program posted on its Twitter account. "Our hearts ache for your loss, and we share in your grief during this incredibly difficult time.

"Officer Breckenridge's absence leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of so many."

Messages of support also poured in from departments across the North Shore.

"The men and women of the Danvers Police Department send our deepest condolences to the entire Peabody Police Department and the family and friends of Officer Henry Breckenridge," the Danvers police said in a statement. "Henry's smile says it all. ... a true gentleman who will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him."

Griffin said the Breckenridge family is "devastated" and that the city and department must be there to support his relatives and each other in the coming days, weeks and months.

"We all need to pull together and lean on each other during this difficult time," he said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)