A mural honoring late Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia , who lost his life while trying to save a teenager from drowning at a city park in June 2021, was recently defaced. However, it didn’t stay that way for long.
MA Fallen Officer Mural Vandalized
A mural honoring a fallen Worcester, MA, police officer was vandalized recently, but the artist returned to make repairs.

The mural was vandalized in March, but last week was repaired by the artist.
Worcester Police Department
Shortly after Familia’s death, local artist Ferdinand Nazario honored him with a mural on the side of Gala Foods on Chandler Street. The mural is 20 feet wide and 11 feet tall and depicts Familia’s well-known smile.
“I did it because I heard so many good things about him and I never met him before. I had a family member that got into a really bad car accident, and he was the first person on the scene to help my cousin,” Nazario tells Boston 25 News .
The mural was vandalized with writing across Familia’s face sometime in March. However, Nazario responded last week and repaired the mural after learning of the vandalism.
“Mr. Nazario, please know how much we appreciate your talent and kindness! Your mural is a permanent tribute to our hero Manny and it means so much to the community. Thank you,” the Worcester Police Department posted on its Facebook page.
The image of Officer Manny Familia has now been repaired.
Worcester Police Department
More Patrol
From the Show Floor: Traka
Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.
Read More →
Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium
Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.
Read More →
2026 US Police and Fire Championships to Unite First Responders in San Diego for 59th Annual Event
The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.
Read More →
FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends to Host Live Audience for National First Responders Day
In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.
Read More →How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
Axon Ecosystem Advancements Connect Critical Moments of Public Safety Response
Last week, during IACP 2025, Axon unveiled what it called the next evolution of its connected public safety ecosystem. Key launches included Prepared by Axon, new Axon Assistant and Axon Air Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities, and Community Shield and Community Link.
Read More →When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Streamlight Releases the Ultra-Thin Wedge SL
Streamlight has launched the Wedge SL, an ultra-thin, USB-C rechargeable light designed for users who want pocketable power.
Read More →More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor
Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →
