(NECN: Josh Brogadir) - It's been four months since the Boston Marathon bombings and ensuing violence in Cambridge and Watertown.
On Thursday night in Somerville, there was an honor fit for an officer who never got the chance to enjoy it.
Badge #310.
It should have adorned the uniform of a man who lived to serve and protect.
Instead, Sean Collier is gone and his uniform and badge are encased in glass.
His family, surrounded by a line of officers, is receiving the honor in his loving memory.
"As the city clerk asks him to recite the oath, he raises his hand, signs the book with his family standing in that horseshoe taking pictures. And he makes the rounds shaking all of our hands. You can just picture it now. Tonight, tonight's bittersweet, tonight reminds us of a tragic loss," said Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone.
Local
The 27 year old was a civilian member of the Somerville police department, and his swearing in as an officer had been set for June.
The senseless, tragic acts of the night of April 18 happened first when the MIT patrolman was on duty and was ambushed.
"One can only wonder the impact Sean Collier would have had if his life had not been cut short by two cowards. The impact that he would have made on the police department, on this community," said Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello.
On this night, there is no closure, no happy moment for family, dignitaries, or his friend, transit police officer Dic Donohue.
What there is with this posthumous honor is a sense of pride knowing this is what Sean would have wanted and worked hard to accomplish.
"Please everyone, remember to be strong, be Collier strong, do it for MIT officer 179 and Somerville officer 310," said Sean's brother Andrew Collier.
That badge, given to his parents, was retired right after in the city of Somerville.
