Here in Wilmington there is a long tradition of caring for our neighbors in need. Community service and volunteering are a huge part of the local culture and most local residents take pride in giving back to the community they live in.

Few, however, make more sacrifices or work harder to keep the community safe than our local Wilmington Police Department. 

These days two of Wilmington’s finest, Officer Shawn Lee and Detective Tom Miller are fighting their own battles and the time has come for the local community to step up and help them.

Officer Shawn Lee is a lifelong Wilmington resident, a veteran of the United States Air Force, a Gulf War veteran and a nine-year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department. A family man with two young boys, Lee has dedicated his life to protecting both his country and his hometown. 

Today, however, Lee is fighting his own private battle. Recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, he has undergone a bone marrow transplant and remains hospitalized during his long recovery. His condition is slowly improving and all those who know him have no doubt that he will be home with his family soon.

Another lifelong Wilmington resident, Detective Tom Miller, joined the WPD in 1985 and earned his title as detective four years later in 1989. 

An active member of The North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) Detectives Team and a former NEMLC SWAT Officer, Miller, much like Lee, has spent his career protecting others. 

A dedicated volunteer, Miller has traveled to New Orleans twice to help build homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and has served as both a board member and a coach for Wilmington Youth Soccer Association.  Detective Miller and his wife proudly raised their daughter here in town are active members of our community.

Much like Officer Lee, Detective Miller has had to turn his attention away from the WPD to deal with his own health crisis. On December 3, 2010 he suffered a stroke while on duty at the station. Since that time, he has undergone hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation.

Miller’s hard work has paid off and he continues to make enormous strides in his recovery.

Both Lee and Miller have spent years supporting the Wilmington community and now, there is an opportunity for us to support them in return.

On Friday, September 16, there will be a fundraiser to benefit the families of both of these dedicated policemen at The Wilmington Knights of Columbus.

The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, will be hosted by Wilmington’s favorite comedian Steve Bjork and features three additional comedians along with a silent auction and raffles. If time permits, the evening will wrap up with dancing.

Tickets are available for purchase from Susan O’Neil at The Wilmington Public Safety Building from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information you can also visit the Shawn Lee “fan club” page.

Tickets are $200 for a table of 10 or $20 each.

Response to the fundraiser has been enormous and tickets are selling fast, so make you drop by the station soon.