Wake held to honor fallen Greenland police chief

GREENLAND, NH (WHDH) -- Fallen Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney was remembered during a wake held Wednesday.

Police departments from across New England came to show their support for the Greenland Police Department and Maloney’s family. Lines at the funeral home in Hampton, N.H. stretched far into the parking lot Wednesday night. Those who knew Maloney as a neighbor and those who knew him only as a hometown hero waited in the cold to honor the fallen chief.

“It’s a tribute and that’s what it should be,” said one woman.

“They’re just wonderful people,” said John Anthony Simmons, a neighbor of Maloney’s family. “When something like this happens you just really want to reach out and hug them.”

Maloney’s wake came as the public continues to learn more about his selfless actions the day he and the other officers were shot after serving a search warrant to Cullen Mutrie, 29. Mutrie was wanted for distributing painkillers. Mutrie allegedly held up inside his home and gunned down officer after officer. Maloney was shot and killed. Four other officers were injured during the raid -- two were treated and released, the others are said to be in good condition.

Greenland’s new police chief visited the other officers at the hospital. Detective Scott Kukesh wanted everyone to know what Maloney did for him.

“Chief Maloney grabbed him and dragged him away from where the exchange of fire was taking place, dragged him into a cruiser that had been opened up, threw him in the back and said ‘Take him to the hospital,’” said Chief Tara Laurent of the Greenland Police Department. “He returned to defend the other officers still left on scene.”

Kukesh was shot in the chest, allegedly by Mutrie.

“He was a man that could have been sitting back in the easy chair, but no, he decided he was going to go out and assist his people and get rid of someone that, you know…” said Col. Marian McGovern of the Massachusetts State Police.

“It’s a good chance for law enforcement to reflect upon the good graces we have every day to come home,” said Col. Robert Williams of the Maine State Police.

Sources said Maloney’s family was appreciative of the public’s turnout.

“He was a quality guy,” said Chief Rodney Collins of the Mashpee Police Department. “And it doesn’t surprise me in the least that he’s a team leader.”

New Hampshire’s governor, who also visited Portsmouth Hospital the night the chief died, paid his respects on Thursday.

“Mike Maloney was a wonderful guy. Everybody in his community loved him,” said New Hampshire Governor John Lynch. “He was a real people person and because he cared about people, people cared about him.”

Maloney’s funeral will be streaming live online at WHDH.com on Friday at 12 p.m.

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