TAUNTON — Chief Edward J. Walsh would like to provide an update on the visiting hours and funeral services for media members planning to cover the services for Patrolman John Borges of the Taunton Police Department.
There will be two services: A wake and visiting hours on Monday, Jan. 4, and funeral Mass on Tuesday, Jan 5.
Out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to adhere to current public health regulations, media members are invited to attend the wake and visiting hours in-person, but the funeral Mass virtually. Out of respect for those in attendance, media members are asked to adhere to the following guidelines and staging information:
Wake and Visiting Hours:
Monday, public visiting hours will be from 4-7 p.m. at the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Ave., Taunton.
Media members are asked to park at the Edward F. Leddy Elementary School, 36 2nd St., in the parent drop-off area in the front of the school behind the fence anytime after 3:30 p.m.
The parking lot will also serve as the staging area for media members. There will be a police walk through promptly at 4 p.m. From the staging location, media members will have a view of officers leaving the funeral home and the bagpipes.
All media members should adhere to social distancing guidelines and mask wearing will be required at all times.
Immediately following the walk through, Chief Walsh or a representative from the Taunton Police Department will walk over to address the media.
Funeral Mass:
The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 14 St. Mary’s Square, Taunton.
Out of respect for the family’s wishes, no media members will be allowed in the church during the Mass service. Additionally, no police department members will be addressing the media on Tuesday during the service.
Those who wish to watch the funeral Mass can view the live ServiceCast on Patrolman Borges’s tribute page at www.hathawayfunerals.com.
Following the funeral service, a procession will leave the church and head toward St. Joseph’s Cemetery on East Britannia Street. Police officers will form a line on Thrasher Street.
Burial:
The burial service is private for family members, friends and the Taunton Police Department only.
Media members are respectfully asked to not attend the burial.
If media members have additional questions please contact Taylor O’Neil at 781-428-3299. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and your coverage of Patrolman Borges’s funeral services is appreciated.
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