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Officer Enmanuel Familia’s Life Honored Today in Worcester

By TWIW Staff | June 10, 2021
Last Updated: July 8, 2021

WORCESTER – The funeral to honor the life of Officer Enmanuel Familia of the Worcester Police Department, is set to begin shortly after 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 10.

The procession to St. John’s Catholic Church on 44 Temple St., closed many roads this morning, as will the procession to St. John’s Cemetery into the afternoon on Thursday.

Officer Familia died on Friday, June 4, after drowning in Green Hill Pond during a rescue operation for a teen in distress. The teen involved also died the same day.

Familia was born on February 23, 1983.

Familia was 38 years old and a five-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department. He was a member of the Tactical Patrol Force, the Crisis Intervention Team, a Crisis Negotiator, a Department Recruitment Officer and training to become a member of the Department’s Swat Team.

Familia had previous law enforcement experience with the Oakham Police Department, Quinsigamond College Police Department and Clark University Police Department. Familia also served as a Supervising Officer for the Department of Youth Services, Youth Apprehension Division.

The officer took part in many charity-related sporting events including the Tarantino 5k, Worcester Police Department Basketball team, Tarantino Softball Tournament and the United Way and Boys and Girls Club Dodgeball Tournament. He was also the coach of the St. Peter’s Church basketball team.

Familia met his wife of 22 years, Jennifer (Cruz) Familia when he was 12 years old. They have two children, Jovan and Jayla, all of Worcester. His parents, Augustin and Bienvenida (Barerra), his brother Eric, Eric’s wife Tanya, and his sister Jessica are also of Worcester. His brother Elvin and his wife Charlyn are from Florida.

Spectrum News 1 is carrying live coverage of the procession and funeral.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Familia Family Memorial Fund, c/o Worcester Police Department Federal Credit Union at 805 West Boylston St. in Worcester, 01606. Checks should be payable to Familia Family Memorial Fund.

A GoFundMe set up to benefit the Familia Family is also available.

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