*Click here to watch a video of the presentation*
RANDOLPH — Chief Anthony Marag is pleased to announce that members of the Randolph Police Department gifted an 8-year-old girl with a violin and one year’s worth of lessons during a small ceremony March 25.
Sergeant Daniel Zaiter, Officer Rich Lucey and Officer Shawn Palmer met Kristen while responding to an incident in town recently. Due the circumstances of the incident, the department will not be releasing specific details about the call.
In talking with Kristen and trying to comfort her, the officers discovered that she used to play the ukulele for fun and hoped to one day learn how to play the violin. Determined to do something to brighten Kristen’s day, the officers decided to purchase her a violin and sought donations from other members of the department.
Officers and department members across all shifts and positions donated money and within a few days they had raised more than enough to buy Kristen the violin and a year’s worth of lessons at the Stoughton Music Center. They researched what size violin would be appropriate for her and consulted with her grandmother, who took violin lessons in her youth, ahead of time and she committed to taking Kristen to her lessons.
On March 25, Sgt. Zaiter picked up Kristen and her grandmother and brought them to the police station where a group of officers had gathered to present Kristen with the violin.
“I’m incredibly proud of these officers and the department as a whole,” Chief Marag said. “This is the side of policing people often don’t see. These are officers that care deeply about their community and want to make a positive impact. This young girl was going through a tough time and our officers went out of their way to try to help her. Seeing Kristen’s reaction is a reminder of why we serve.”
In addition to the violin and lessons, they also presented Kristen with several Randolph Police patches.
“We hope Kristen will come back and play for us after she’s had a few lessons,” Chief Marag said.
Note: Kristen’s guardian has given permission to release her first name and likeness for the video and press release, but asked that her last name not be released.
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