Family demands answers
Vigil held for recent grad who drowned in pool
Devastated family and friends of the 17-year-old who died after being pulled from the water at a Dedham graduation party celebrated his life on Sunday as they called for “justice for Alonzo” and demanded answers into his death.
Alonzo Polk was pulled from a pool during a graduation party in the early morning hours of June 6. He was initially in “critical” condition before dying on Friday, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.
Friends, family and community members wearing “A.P. Strong” shirts gathered on Sunday to celebrate the Dedham High School graduate’s life during a “candlelight vigil unity rally.”
“We want justice for Alonzo,” his brother Roshawn Drane said in front of the family’s home. “We want answers. I’m pretty sure today we aren’t going to get those answers, but we’re going shake this city.
“We’re going to shake this town until they see and wake up,” his brother said. “We’re going to wake up Norfolk County. It’s time.”
More than 100 people marched from the family’s home to 36 Netta Road, the address where Alonzo was submerged in the backyard pool last week — about a half-mile away.
Alonzo’s family left candles in front of the home, and sat there for minutes with arms around each other as the marchers down the street chanted “Justice for Alonzo” and “A.P. Strong.”
The family who lives at 36 Netta Road was not home Sunday evening during the march.
Police have filed a criminal complaint in connection with the teen’s death. Dedham Police said the investigation has led to misdemeanor charges submitted to Dedham District Court for furnishing alcohol to people under 21 and reckless endangerment to a child.
“The names of individuals and details submitted to the Dedham District Court will not be public until such time as the Court makes a determination of probable cause and conducts an arraignment,” police added.
After Polk’s death on Friday morning, the DA’s office assigned a victim/witness advocate to the case.
“Our office will now be obtaining medical records, autopsy results, and reviewing that and the Dedham Police investigative materials that led DPD to apply for criminal complaints last week,” the DA’s office said.
The incident happened at 36 Netta Road, which is owned by James Coughlin, according to Dedham’s assessor records. Coughlin was a Massachusetts State Police detective captain and recently ran for Norfolk County sheriff. His pension is $131,900.
Coughlin has not returned calls from the Herald.
Police were called to his house at 12:30 a.m. last Sunday for the teen “submerged in the water of a pool.”
A GoFundMe page called “Prayers for Dedham High Senior Alonzo Polk” has already raised more than $25,000.