This is part of my ongoing series Officer Down – in honour of police officers slain in the line of duty.

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On June 4, 2021, Worcester Police Department Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia gave his life attempting to save 14-year-old Troy Love, who also drowned in Green Hill Pond.

“Two kids were in the water trying to hold onto each other in the water when I got here, screaming that they couldn’t swim and that there was somebody else under,” witness Sheryl Lamonda told WBZ.

One officer came out of the water with two kids he rescued. Lamonda said another officer was in the water and people on shore were directing him to where the missing boy was.

“He just went right under,” Lamonda said.

A dive team pulled Officer Familia from the pond and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

At approximately 3:25 p.m., almost two hours after the initial 911 calls, a dive team recovered the body of the 14-year-old boy

“The Worcester Police Department has lost a brother, friend and a partner. The City of Worcester has lost a hero,” said Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent. “We will remember and honor his selfless devotion to Worcester and his ultimate sacrifice to save someone he didn’t know.”

“When you hear about the situation about what happened, that’s Manny. Saving other people. Putting his life on the line,” said Woodrow Adams, Jr., a friend of the deceased police officer. “He’s always been willing to go above and beyond for others and help people in need.”

Officer Familia, a five-year veteran of department, leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, and two children, a son and a daughter.