Second Chelsea Police Officer Dies Within One Week

By Seth Daniel

The Chelsea Police Department (CPD) continued its bereavement this week as Officer Robert Longo died suddenly last Thursday, May 19, one day after the funeral that marked the tragic accidental death of Officer John Bruttaniti.

Longo, 49, of Saugus, had been on the CPD since 1996 and was part of the motorcycle division.

“It is with deep regret and a heartfelt sympathy that I must announce the sudden passing of Officer Robert Longo of Saugus,” said Chief Brian Kyes. “He loved to ride motorcycles and eventually became a member of the Chelsea Traffic Motorcycle Unit as Tango 11.  He was an extremely proactive and dedicated public servant and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Police Union President Mark O’Connor said the morale among the officers is good, but they are wounded.

“Our morale is good, but we’re just wounded emotionally by the two events coming one after the other,” he said. “The officers have stayed together and drawn comfort from one another. It’s certainly been the hardest period since I’ve been a cop over the last 10 years by a long shot. It would be hard for any workplace in any profession.”

O’Connor said Longo had the respect of his co-workers and was quick to provide back up.

“Bob was a guy who loved being a cop,” he added. “He was the first guy to back you up on the street. He worked traffic and would be the first to show up if you called. He had a lot of very good traits and was loyal.”

Longo entered the CPD as a Reserve Officer on June 1, 1996 and worked patrolling the Chelsea Housing Authority properties for five years. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was sworn in as a permanent member of the CPD and wore badge 134.

Kyes said that Bruttaniti and Longo were close friends, but the two incidents were unrelated.

There were no public funeral arrangements made known by press time.