WEYMOUTH – Legislation that would make police Sgt. Michael Chesna the namesake of a Weymouth bridge will soon be on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk for approval.
State Sen. Patrick O'Connor and state Rep. James Murphy, both of Weymouth, filed a bill last year asking the state to name the new bridge on Route 18 that crosses the commuter rail tracks on Weymouth's Main Street after the fallen officer.
O'Connor said the language was attached as an amendment to a transportation bill that has already gained approval in both the House and the Senate. He said the final version will go to conference committee, but it's "basically a done deal."
Baker's signature then would be needed.
The bridge would be named the Sergeant Michael C. Chesna First Responders Bridge.
O'Connor said the request to name that bridge for Chesna came directly from his family, who wanted something that his children could point to.
"They wanted something in honor of all first responders, who do these very serious jobs day in and day out, sometimes with little or no recognition," O'Connor said.
A Weymouth native and married father of two, Chesna died on July 15, 2018, when he was shot by a man running from police. Vera Adams, a 77-year-old widow, was shot to death in her home on Torrey Street moments after Chesna was killed nearby.
In the years since Chesna's death, Weymouth has held charity events for his family, donated to a memorial fund in his honor and given away scholarships in his name, and residents have replaced white light bulbs with blue to mark his memory.
The new Chapman Middle School gym has been named in his honor, and a reading room at the new Tufts Library has been named for Adams.
In May, Hanover, where Chesna lived, renamed its street hockey rink the Sergeant Michael C. Chesna Memorial Rink.
With the fourth anniversary of the killing of Chesna and Adams on Friday, O'Connor said he was happy to be able to share the news that the bridge dedication was moving forward.
"I'm glad I'm in the position to make sure this deserving individual is honored," he said.
Original Source: https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2022/07/15/naming-weymouth-bridge-honor-sgt-michael-chesna-moved-forward/10072534002/