Today,and every day, we remember the victims of 9/11 as well as the sacrifice made by all First Responders on that day 13 years ago. 9/11 forever changed our lives and those who perished will NEVER be forgotten!! On this day, the APD also remembers Ashland Police Officer Charles Cadorette. Officer Charles E. Cadorette, age 38, a one year veteran and father of four children was gunned down and his partner Officer. Robert Gonfrade, age 26 was seriously wounded by gun fire at an area called Workmens Circle, a field adjacent to Cedar Street. (This area is now the current developed site of Captain Eames Circle.) The officers unknowingly stopped a suspicious motor vehicle that turned out to be stolen. The stolen vehicle was being followed by a second vehicle being operated by a female. The driver of the first vehicle, was armed with a fully loaded semi-automatic 9 mm handgun. During the initial stop, Officer Cadorette approached Perkins in the first vehicle as Officer Gonfrade approached a female in the second vehicle. Officer Cadorette was initially disarmed at gun point and was held hostage by the armed man who was also using him as a shield. Officer Cadorette turned and attempted to disarm the subject holding him hostage. The gunman fired point blank and a bullet fatally struck Officer Cadorette in the chest and he fell to the ground. The gunman then immediately fired at Officer Gonfrade and he was quickly struck twice by bullets. Although seriously wounded, Officer Gonfrade managed to returned fire and strike Perkins. Officer Gonfrade was unable to move from his position due to the extent of his injuries and could not get to the cruiser radio for help. He directed the female to check on her acquaintance, the suspect. At this time he was unsure if the threat of the gunman was over. After learning that the gunman appeared to be dead, he directed the female to call on the cruiser radio for help. The female had difficulty calling for help. Officer Gonfrade managed to drag himself 20 feet to the cruiser and radio for assistance. Note: In 1967, Officer Cadorette and Officer Gonfrade were the only Ashland Police officers on duty that night and they were both shot. Police officers from surrounding towns converged on the desolate area in search of the fallen officers. After some time, they finally located Workmans Circle and Officer Gonfrade was rushed to Framingham Union Hospital for emergency surgery. Officer Cadorette and the gunman did not survive. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Cadorette and his family today as we remember the sacrifice he made 47 years ago serving our community. We know that he watches over all Police Officers as they head out every day on their beats and he will never be forgotten!
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:06:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015