Worcester Officer, Teen Drown At Green Hill Park, Officials Say

WORCESTER, MA — A five-year member of the Worcester Police Department and a 14-year-old boy drowned Friday during an incident at a Green Hill Park pond, officials said.

Worcester police Chief Steven Sargent said five officers responded to a 911 call at the park near 1:30 p.m. about swimmers in distress. Officer Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, 38, entered the water attempting to reach the teen, whose arm was sticking out of the water, Sargent said.

Familia was under the water for about an hour before he was found and brought to shore. The teen, identified by NBC 10 as Troy Love, was found near 3:30 p.m. They were each taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.

"There are no words to express how difficult this loss is, god knows this city has had more than its fair share of loss," City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said during a Friday news conference.

Familia leaves behind a wife and a young son and daughter. Police and city officials also expressed sympathy for Love’s family.

"Tonight, two families are experiencing unimaginable pain and loss in the wake of a devastating tragedy in Worcester, with Worcester police Officer Manny Familia and a teen losing their lives," Gov Charlie Baker said in a tweet. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of both."

During the water rescue, Worcester officers were able to save two other people who were struggling in the water. The pond where Familia and the teen drowned is at the center of the 470-acre park, but does not have a sanctioned swimming area.

The Worcester incident happened nearly at the same time as a shooting in Braintree that left two officers wounded, and the suspect and a police dog dead.

First death since 2012

The last Worcester officer to die in the line of duty was Peter Kneeland, who succumbed in 2012 to injuries sustained in 1991 when he was hit by a drunk driver. In 2009, Sgt. Michael Towner died several weeks after he was injured while trying to make an arrest.

The Worcester Fire Department has also suffered several losses in recent years. Lt. Jason Menard was killed in a fire in November 2019, less than a year after Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy died battling a five-alarm blaze.