“They have gone through a lot, and tonight shows our commitment to public safety,’’ he said. “It’s a good night for the city.’’
DeNapoli was one of a group of nine men and two women sworn in as reserve officers at emotional ceremony at Woburn Memorial High School.
After taking the oath, DeNapoli, nicknamed “Bobby,’’ dressed in a suit and tie, shook hands with Galvin and Police Chief Robert J. Ferullo Jr. He was accompanied to the ceremony by his father, mother, and brother.
In early September, Robert DeNapoli Sr. was shot four times after responding to a jewelry store robbery. He has yet to return to work, but the entire force is looking forward to the day he comes back, Ferullo said.
DeNapoli family members declined to comment at the ceremony last evening.
DeNapoli’s appointment signifies that police officers have been in his family for three generations. In addition to his father, his grandfather on his mother’s side worked for the department, the chief said.
DeNapoli was one of three multigeneration police officers sworn in. Kylee Lally became a third-generation police officer and Andrew J. Albertelli is the son of Winchester’s police chief, Ken Albertelli.
“It’s always impressive to see that the child follows the footsteps of the father,’’ said state Senator Ken Donnelly of Arlington.
Donnelly is a former Lexington firefighter whose father was a firefighter in Cambridge and whose brother Al recently retired from Woburn’s police department.
“Especially when you see someone who has done such a tremendous job and was critically injured in the line of duty,’’ Donnelly said. “To see his son sworn in means an awful lot. It’s very moving.’’
DeNapoli’s appointment “was in the works long before his dad got shot,’’ said Ferullo. “He’s probably been involved in the process since he was 21.’’
A long wait is common, Ferullo said, because there are about 400 people on the list of possible hires. To be hired, prospective officers must take state civil service exams.
