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BRAINTREE, Mass (WBZ NewsRadio) — One month after tragedy struck a south shore community, neighbors came together on Sunday for some friendly competition.
The city of Braintree held a cornhole tournament in honor of Braintree Police Dog Kitt, who was killed last month in a shootout between officers and a domestic violence suspect.
Co-organizer Morrey Eglin said he grew up in the same neighborhood in Braintree where Kitt was killed.
"So it kind of infuriated me a little that something like that could happen in my hometown," Eglin said.
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Officials said 72 teams signed up for the tournament -- including officers from the Braintree Police Department.
Kitt's Handler Officer Billy Cushing threw out the ceremonial first toss and Braintree Mayor Charles Kokoros gave the opening speech.
"It's wonderful to see so many folks here, to show how we really feel about our police here in Braintree," Kokoros said. "And we support them 100 percent."
Eglin said participating in the final product was rewarding to see as a Braintree native.
"When you look around it makes you proud of the town you're from," he said. 'And everything that I grew up [on] and was kind of raised on, I'm seeing it right here."
The proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Braintree Working Dog Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicating to supporting the work of the city's Police K-9 Unit.
WBZ NewsRadio's Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) reports:
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