Patrolman's Association gives back to community

During a visit by members of the Patrolman's Association, Sgt. Martin (Ret.) looks at a picture book with Coleman House residents. PHOTO/SUBMITTED Northborough - While the phrase "to protect and serve" is the foundation on which many a police force is formed, Northborough police officer Nathan Fiske believes giving back to the community for its unflagging support is almost as important.

That's why Fiske has made a concerted eff ort to re-invigorate the Northborough Patrolman's Association, which he serves as president.

"We really have, I believe, a two-fold mission," Fiske said. "We use our association dues to take care of members and their families should anyone get injured on the job or has an extended injury or has a loved one passed away. At the same time, however, we're always looking for ways to give back to the community - to show our thanks for their support."

The association did that recently by hosting a softball game between members of the patrolman's association and an all-star team of former Red Sox and Patriots players.

Other recent eff orts have included presenting a check for $4,200 to the Northborough American Legion Post 234 for plaques honoring town residents who served and perished in World War II and the Korean War. The Patrolman's Association also served coffee and pastries during the winter to residents of the Coleman House, a senior care residence at 112 West Main St.

In addition to Fiske, the Patrolman's Association Board of Directors includes Joe Galvin (vice president), Karen Taylor (secretary/ treasurer) and Lt. William Lyver (executive board member). Fiske said everyone on the Northborough force is in the association with the exception of the Police Chief Mark Leahy.

Fiske said he got the idea to visit the Coleman House when he was called to the facility to help a resident.

"The response I got in just the few minutes I was there was amazing," Fiske said. "The residents were really excited to see me there, they were very welcoming when they were visiting with me, even for that brief time. It made me realize that spending time with the residents was something we should do as an association. It seemed like it would be a great place to start giving back to the community."

Fiske said the association is planning to visit the town's other assisted living facility, Whitney Place, 238 West Main St.

The all-star softball game between the Patrolman's Association and former Red Sox and Patriots players was a thank-you to members of the community who donated to the association during a fund-raising drive conducted recently.

"We had about 100 people come out to the game - it was a great time," Fiske said. "The community does a lot to support us. Anything we need, they give us, either through their taxes, or by supplementally supporting us financially. These are chances for us to give back, and I think we all believe its something we should do."

Fiske said the entire force understands how lucky they are to be working in Northborough.

"It's definitely a nice place; we're very lucky to be here," Fiske said. "We're not just here to hassle people. We have to do things that are, for the most part, unpopular - writing tickets, arresting people - but that's not why we're here. We're here to serve people. We want to be here for them in their time of need. I think that's why we all became police officer s - the public service aspect of the position."

Fiske said the entire force feels that way.

"It's huge. We can't waver. We're all in this together. We need to be here for each other. It's what the association is all about. We're constantly trying to foster that," Fiske said. "The brother-inlaw of one of our members died recently and the first thing the association did was make sure flowers were sent, and that food was sent to the house for the family. At Christmas, we had a member become ill and we made a special eff ort to help him and his family out. We just tried to make a difficul t situation better."