This page is dedicated in memory of Lieutenant James J. Cogan
The establishment of a first-class Honor Guard had for many years been the life-long dream of Lieutenant James J. Cogan. The dream finally came true during the spring of 1977 when the Winchester Police Honor Guard was formed as a joint venture of the Winchester Police Relief Association and the Winchester Police Department. The Honor Guard was organized as a living memorial to the deceased members of the Relief Association and the Police Department. The Honor Guard was further enhanced by the donations of two American flags, a flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a Police Department Flag. The flags were donated by the families of late officers Andrew Saraco, Frederick Marasca and William J. Gannon. The Winchester Police Honor Guard made its first public appearance at the 1977 Memorial Day Parade and has since made annual appearances in the Memorial Day Parade, Veteran’s Day, the En Ka Parade and numerous police funerals throughout New England. The Honor Guard was made up by two separate units. The first unit was commanded by Sergeant Mario Buzzotta with Patrolmen Jasper Asaro, Charles T. Culhane, Kenneth Albertelli and Daniel Magee. The second unit was commanded by Sergeant Joseph Perritano with Officers William O’Neil, Francis Manzi, Theodore Yeanacopolis and James Pierce. The Honor Guard was under the direction of Lieutenant James J. Cogan until he retired from the Police Department in 1979. Although the faces and the uniforms have changed of the past 20+ years, the reasons for its establishment remain the same. These officers are a credit to the community and the Winchester Police Department.

For further information regarding the Honor Guard contact
Sgt. Stephen Palmer
spalmer@winchesterpd.org