Slain Mass. officer, woman remembered

BOSTON — A Massachusetts police officer who was shot about 10 times with his own service weapon was described by community members on Monday as a loving and compassionate family man who had long aspired to be a police officer.

Weymouth Officer Michael Chesna and an innocent bystander, 77-year-old Vera Adams, were killed on Sunday. The man charged in their deaths, Emanuel Lopes, 20, will either be arraigned at his hospital bedside or in court, possibly Tuesday. His attorney had no immediate comment.

Police were responding to a report of a person driving erratically Sunday morning when they discovered a crashed BMW, said Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

Officer Chesna was trying to locate the driver of the vehicle, Mr. Morrissey said, when he spotted Mr. Lopes allegedly vandalizing a home. That’s when Mr. Lopes hit Officer Chesna in the head with a rock. Officer Chesna fell to the ground, and Mr. Lopes took the officer’s gun and repeatedly shot him, Mr. Morrissey said. According to a police report, Officer Chesna was shot approximately five times in the head and five times in the torso and legs.

Another officer who had arrived at the scene shot Mr. Lopes in the leg. Mr. Lopes then fled and fired shots into a nearby home, killing Ms. Adams, Mr. Morrissey said.

Neighbors described Ms. Adams, a widow, as a quiet, generous spirit. Outside her simple, two-story home, mourners placed flowers, candles, balloons and an American flag.

During a vigil at Weymouth High School Monday night, Weymouth police Chief Richard Grimes discussed the ongoing debate over use of force by police officers. He said, “Hesitation gets officers hurt.” Describing the moment when Mr. Lopes allegedly struck Officer Chesna with a stone, he said, “The courts, the politicians and everyone in this country should put themselves in that split-second decision, and you tell me, ‘Is a rock a rock?’ I stand here today and tell you it’s not.’”