The sign outside Greenland’s Town Offices reads, “Our condolences to the Maloney Family.” Early this morning The flags were already flying at half staff to honor 48 year old Police Chief Michael Maloney. The 12 year veteran of the police force was killed just a week before he was sent to retire.
Four other officers were wounded in the shooting. The gunman 29 year old Cullen Mutrie and unidentified female also died, under circumstances still under investigation. Speaking at town hall, Attorney General Michael Delaney’s main focus was on comforting a shaken town.
“There will be extensive efforts to insure that the community, the police departments and all the citizens that have been affected by this have the peer to peer support, the counseling, and any assistance that they need in coping with this tragedy.”
Delaney wouldn't comment on why Chief Maloney accompanied the drug task force or discuss the tactics it used. And while those questions swirl, local officials say it’s hard to believe their admired Police Chief is gone..
“Its a crisis for the Town. It's devastating."
Karen Andersen is Greenland's town manager
"Our thoughts are with the family, our staff and our employees. The State has provided a the D-Bart team, which is like a debriefing help for the community, so we'll so we'll know to deal with the community, and help them as well.”
Nearby a sail making business had a string of flags at half staff. Owner Jeff Anderson said that
he never would have imagined so much violence would visit his town.
“We have been here 30 years, and couldn't believe that it would happen in this place, of all places. But, it just shows you that there are bad apples everywhere.
Anderson added that seen Maloney and the department he managed as models of small town policing.
“He was such a good guy. We enjoyed working with him. If somebody left their keys in the car, they would come over and help us and we always waved to and at each other when we passed by. So, it really is mindboggling.”
The sailmaker said that he expected the town to recover from the tragedy eventually.
How fast may depend in part on what is learned about how things ended up going so wrong. Governor John Lynch and state safety officials visited Greenland today to meet with town leaders at the local elementary school, which was closed for the day. Lynch drove away without speaking to the reporters who’d gathered outside.
