Honor Guard
The Brunswick Police Honor Guard was formed in 1998 by now-retired Chief of Police Jerry Hinton and former department member Lieutenant Mark LaFountain. The Honor Guard is composed of eight dedicated, sworn police officers who take great pride in honoring our profession’s proud tradition and the dedicated commitment it takes to serve and protect.
Honor Guard members range in job tenure from "just off probation" to members who are rapidly approaching twenty years of service with the department. Although some members are U.S. military veterans, there is no requirement of having a military background in order to be a Brunswick Police Department (BPD) Honor Guard member. Honor Guard members are expected to perform their regular jobs within the department, then come together, as needed, when their services as guard members are required.
Responsibilities
The Honor Guard performs the rifle salutes and flag-folds at funerals for line-of-duty and active-duty Brunswick Police Officers. Aside from funerals, the Guard also posts Colors at Department-sponsored events. The Department strives to have Honor Guard members present at the funeral services for any Peace Officer killed in the line-of-duty, throughout New England, and in some instances further regions. BPD Honor Guard members also represent the department at the yearly police memorial services in Augusta, the State Capitol, and in our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. Some of the other events that the unit is proud to have been a part of are:
- The Annual Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade
- The Honorary First Lap of the Annual Relay for Life
- Part of a Multi-Jurisdictional Honor Guard at the Swearing-in of Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives John G. Richardson
- Sentries at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. During National Police Week
- Swearing-in Ceremonies for Local Dignitaries
Colors
The unit generally attends functions with two guards (rifle bearers) and two or three color bearers. Flags borne by the unit include the National Standard, the State of Maine colors, and the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial colors. Attached to the Memorial colors borne by the unit is a lone black streamer, dedicated to the memory of Brunswick Police Officer Jim D. Swint. Officer Swint was killed in the line of duty in 1990.
Retirement Services
In regards to retiree services, the Guard has made sincere efforts to have at least some limited presence at local services for honorably retired police officers, whenever requested by a family member. If you would like more information on the Brunswick Police Honor Guard, please email Lieutenant Justin Dolci.
