Hundreds Say Goodbye to Lt. Thomas Forbes

Hundreds of local and state police officers, city and town officials and friends packed a funeral service today for Lt. Thomas Forbes, the 30-year-veteran of the Groton City Police Department who died Monday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Forbes’ youngest daughter, Lauren Forbes, cried as she read a letter she had written for her father.

“Daddy, I have been the luckiest girl in the world to have a father like you, who would drop everything just to see me smile,” she said, her voice breaking. The crowd gathered in his memory wept silently with her.

“I love you beyond words… You are my daddy,” she said. “...Goodbye. Rest in peace. I love you.”

Forbes, 52, was found in the Groton City Police station by a fellow officer at 8:30 a.m. Monday. 

Groton City Police, Groton Town Police, Groton Long Point Police and officers in full dress uniform from local, state and federal agencies attended the service, saluting as the hearse arrived at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church. 

Forbes had recently graduated from the National FBI Academy, and classmates from Maine, California, the Netherlands and Pakistan traveled to attended the service.

Frank Jarvis, a detective with the New London Police Department, read a poem he had written in Forbes’ memory.

“Sorrow is upon us in this hour of darkness,” he said. “Questions arise with no answers to be found…”

He said Forbes will be with his family, even if only like a presence when the wind blows.

“As we salute you one last time, may the Lord look upon you and welcome you,” Jarvis said.

Rev. Joseph C. Ashe said Forbes lived his life for others, which can put pressure on people and make them feel alone, even if they are not. Ashe said Forbes was not alone when he died.

“When our time of dying comes, we will never be alone,” he said.

“All we can do is pray for Tom, which is a great deal.  And all we can do is to remember all that Tom struggled to do, but not to do it to such a degree that we shut everyone else out,” he said.

He urged police officers to lean on their families and friends for help and comfort. “Even the care givers need care - perhaps they might need more care than the people they are taking care of,” he said. 

“. . . The people that are closest to you, you need to let them in so they can help you.”

Lauren told her father she never questioned his love, even though it will be hard to be without him when she graduates, gets married, and has her first child.

“I do know that you will forever be with me,” she said, crying.   “. . .You are so respected and admired. And you are my hero.”

Officers stood at attention as Forbes’ body was carried from from the church, and his family followed, a woman crying and officers fighting back tears.

Ashe said during the service: “We pray now that Tom, in the arms of God, realizes how much he was always loved.”