Photo: Courtesy Lowell Police Department
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — One Lowell police car looks a bit different than the rest. Lowell Police Department unveiled a new traffic enforcement cruiser to honor those who have served.
The department has 61 officers who are veterans, in addition to many retired veteran officers, according to LPD.
"This is our small way of showing our appreciation to all veterans, including the 61 sworn officers of the Lowell Police Department who have served their country with distinction," Barry Golner, acting Lowell police superintendent, said in a statement. "We hope this cruiser is a display of our respect for veterans and the sacrifices they have made for all of us."
Read More: What Do People Of Abington Do For Fun? The Search For An Answer
The new veterans' cruiser has emblems representing each of the country's six branches of the military, the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force on the back. The veterans' cruiser was painted using funding from the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program.
Photo: Courtesy Lowell Police Department
After the cruiser was unveiled, the department celebrated its veterans and the U.S. Marine Corps 247th birthday with pizza and cake at the police station. The youngest Marine, Lowell General Hospital EMT Robert Rival, cut the cake with a Marine Corps sword and served the first slice to retired Officer Robert Sturtevant, the eldest Marine.
The design will be used to help increase the visibility of traffic enforcement patrols. Additionally, the new cruiser will be sent to local parades and community events.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App