"Heroes Live Forever"--the story of Saugus (MA) Police Officer Harold Vitale

Harold Vitale suffered a horrific death nearly 40 years ago--his family refused to let him be forgotten and channeled their grief into a force for good

L to R: Les Vitale; Dick Vitale; Harold’s portrait; Bill Vitale; Harold’s wife, Eileen; and Bobby Vitale

McLean, VA (August 13, 2024) - On June 18, 1985, Saugus (MA) Police Officer Harold L. Vitale attempted to arrest an 18-year-old driver with outstanding warrants. The suspect rolled the car window up trapping Officer Vitale’s arm and took off, dragging the 14-year police veteran at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. As the other occupants in the car screamed for the driver to stop, Officer Vitale was rammed into a street sign and killed. Officer Vitale left behind a large and close-knit family. They channeled their grief into a force for good, determined not to let Harold be forgotten. They helped build the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and soon after worked to establish a memorial in Saugus for Harold and other local officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Last week they held their 30th annual memorial golf tournament honoring Harold and other fallen law enforcement heroes. The tournament has raised more than a million dollars over the years, which has been donated to teenage students and deserving groups like the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Citizens Behind the Badge.

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