ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q4-2024

W hen I accepted the appointment as FBINAA Historian, I told the Board I would not only focus on those members who’ve made history but those who are also making history. In this edition I’d like to share with you the story of a fellow class mate who did both…the hard way. My heartfelt thanks to Chief William McGrath of the Wrentham (Massachusetts) Police Depart ment for allowing me to share this with you. Deputy Chief George Labonte was a proud member of NA Session 282. Sadly – bravely – he passed away on August 12, 2024, after a lengthy but courageous battle with cancer. I want to share his story – but can’t sum up words any stronger than those penned by Chief McGrath in his tribute to George. This is from the Wrentham Police Department’s Facebook page: John Simmons THE HISTORIAN'S SPOTLIGHT Historically Speaking... TRIBUTE TO DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF GEORGE C. LABONTE 07/01/1980 – 08/12/2024 Wrentham Deputy Police Chief George Labonte passed away yesterday after a long, very courageous battle with cancer. George leaves behind his loving wife Katie and their four children, Sadie, Benji, Jaxie and Ju lian. He also leaves his mom and dad, his sisters and his in-laws on Katie’s side of the family. Additionally, he left the rest of us, his police family, fire family, his friends, way too many to mention, but so many indeed. Finally, and thankfully, he left behind his cancer. George was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in 2016. He was a Police Lieutenant at the time and I the Deputy Chief. I remember well the day he came into the station and broke that terrible, stunning news. This form of cancer was rare and incurable, he told us, making it even more scary. At the time, none of us heard of medullary thyroid cancer, but we heard plenty about it after that. “Check your neck!” he warned us, warned his friends, warned everyone. He would tell you that right now if he were here. Scary as it was, in short time, George pushed “scary” aside and steadfastly proclaimed cancer would not rule his life. He would fight back of course, focused on diet, worked out like a crazy man, and participated in pharma ceutical trial studies, most notably a seemingly miracle drug called Loxo. He would also join support and research groups focused specifically on his type of cancer. In those groups, he was “known for his optimism, his upbeat personality”, said fellow survivor, Bill Nelson. “He brought hope to the group” added Bill, who made it clear George was “his brother.” So yes, George said over and over he would live as if he didn’t have cancer at all. We remember thinking what a brave thing for him to say and we truly admired him for saying it, but really? That can’t be done, no one can do that! Well, no one, maybe…except George.

Though he would have been completely justified to wallow in self-pity, seek attention for himself…he didn’t. Instead, he did what he said he would do. He didn’t allow cancer to dominate his life, but dedicated a huge piece of his life to helping others with cancer, kids with cancer... pediatric cancer. Not surprising if you knew him. So how does George, dealing with his own cancer, support kids with cancer? He could just donate some money, perhaps become a spokesman, start a Facebook page or something along those lines. Those would be easy, effective ways to show support, bring awareness and not require a lot of effort. George, though, had other ideas. The cop with cancer, who by his own account wasn’t much of a long distance-runner, decided to…run a marathon for MGH (Mass General Hospital) to support finding a cure for pediatric cancer. George knew first hand how scary it was for him to deal with cancer and imagined it had to be even worse for kids. The definition of selflessness. Go big or go home, I believe he said. And going big meant a marathon! It really didn’t seem possible, that marathon idea, but he made it possible. He trained, ran on weekdays, long runs on Saturdays, ran alone, trained with friends and family. And then…he ran not one marathon, but two, maybe more, I lost track. He ran in Chicago and in Boston, he ran half marathons. Suddenly, the man with incurable cancer, seemed like the healthiest cop on Wrentham P.D., just living his life his way. Of course, George had his struggles along this jour ney and that has to be said. He had pain, low moments, surgeries, treatments and all the rest of it. But he never lost hope and optimism. He harnessed the immeasurable love and support from Katie, the kids, his family and he forged ahead for as long as he could. He roared! Now, his marathon is over. Not Boston or Chicago. This marathon began in 2016, the one he never asked for, never trained for, but nevertheless, ran hard and steady with the ferocity of a champion. And yesterday, my friend, our friend, crossed the finish line. God bless you George and God Bless your family. You are missed and loved by all of us at the Wrentham Police Department and beyond.

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22 FBINAA.ORG | Q4 2024