Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna Laid To Rest

WEYMOUTH, MA – Thousands of mourners – some in uniform, others wearing shirts in support of first responders – spilled out onto the streets of Hanover Friday to honor fallen Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna. Not everyone fit inside the St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church, where a private funeral mass was held, so officers lined up along the roadway and listened to the service as it was broadcast outside.

Chesna's brother-in-law, Weymouth Police Captain Joseph Comperchio, delivered the eulogy. He painted a picture of the man Chesna was: a Boston sports fan who collected memorabilia and had several tattoos dedicated to his favorite teams and a devoted family man who strove to be the best soldier and police officer he could be.

But he was more than just a sports fan and an officer. Chesna, a father, a husband and son was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back – "literally," Comperchio said, and shared a story about Chesna giving a person at the gym his Under Armour sweatshirt after the person asked where he got it.

Comperchio closed the eulogy by reading a statement from Chesna's wife, Cindy.

"Mike, my hero, I will love you always and forever," she wrote.

Police officers started arriving on MBTA buses at 9 a.m. Friday morning and lined up along Hanover Street. Weymouth officers marched into the church in formation and honor guard officers from the New England area marched down the street to the tune of bagpipes.

After the service, Chesna's casket was carried to the white hearse while the band played the official U.S. Army song in honor of his military service. The hearse was escorted down Hanover Street by a motorcade of hundreds of police officers from departments across Massachusetts.

Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos of the Yarmouth Police Department, which had one of its own officers killed in the line of duty earlier this year, spoke to reporters after the mass about a need to make changes to the narrative surrounding police officers, humans who strive to serve and help their communities.

"Show them that you love them," he said. "Show them that they're respected."

He reiterated Comperchio's message of support for Cindy Chesna and her children, Oliva and Jack.

"We love [Sgt. Chesna]," Xiarhos said. "I will tell [the Chesna family] that they will get through it because the big blue line is there for them."

Chesna, 42, was shot to death with his own gun Sunday morning while responding to a report of an erratic driver in Weymouth. Authorities say he was killed by 20-year-old Emanuel Lopes, who is being held without bail until a dangerous hearing in August. Lopes has also been charged in the death of a bystander, 77-year-old Vera Adams.

Chesna will be buried at Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.

Check out some of the moments from the funeral:

And from WJAR:

• 1,000+ Attend Vigil For Fallen Weymouth Police Officer Chesna
• Obituary: Michael Chesna
• Fund Established For Fallen Officer's Family
• Weymouth Police Have Motorcycle Ride For Fallen Officer

Story by Alex Newman. Photos by Jimmy Bentley.

Jenna Fisher contributed to this report.