WORCESTER, Mass. - It has been a month since Officer Enmanuel Familia died in the line of duty. Sunday, he was honored with a special mass at Bt. Bernard's Church in Worcester.
Officer Familia died while trying to save a 14-year-old boy from the water at Worcester's Green Hill Pond. The teen also died. Familia was 38-years-old, leaving behind a wife and two children. At the mass, Father Jonathan Slavinskas remembered Familia for his bravery.
"We also come at this month's minds mass and we celebrate again the life of Officer Manny," Slavinskas said during the mass. "A man again who did not hesitate. Who simply went into waters for a greater good. Not counting the cost. With other officers as well who went into the waters on that day. Again, individuals who continually sacrifice."
The Worcester Police Department Credit Union is accepting donations for Officer Familia's family. A GoFundMe page set up by a family member has also raised more than $160,000.