'I Can Guarantee You Sean Saved Somebody's Life'

BARNSTABLE, MA — If not Sean Gannon, it would have been someone else murdered at the hands of career criminal Thomas Latanowich. That is according to Yarmouth's police chief after officials said Gannon, a K-9 officer, was shot and killed by Latanowich as a group of officers tried to arrest him for a probation violation in Barnstable on Thursday. Latanowich, who has 125 criminal charges, eventually surrendered and now faces a murder charge. Gannon was 32 years old and left a wife. Police said Latanowich also shot Gannon's K-9 dog, which survived.

Hundreds gathered at Yarmouth police headquarters Saturday during a vigil for Gannon.

"That disgusting person was going to hurt or kill somebody else and Sean stopped that from happening," Yarmouth police Chief Frank Frederickson told the crowd. "It's hard to measure what we prevent but I can guarantee you Sean saved somebody’s life."

Earlier, Frederickson and his officers said the court system "failed" in this case, as some have questioned why Latanowich was out in the community with his extensive background.

“People get sentenced, people finish their sentence, they get out," Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe told WHDH.

Police said Gannon was a model officer and the "epitome of kindness and selflessness." His wake is Tuesday in Yarmouth. A fundraiser was established for Gannon's wife.

Previous:

• Cape Cod Police Officer Gunned Down
• Slain Cape Cod Police Officer Sean Gannon: Services Announced
• Shot Cape Cod Police Dog Recovering, 'Standing Strong'
• Cape Cod Police Officer Sean Gannon 'Epitome of Kindness'
• Cape Cod Police Officer Murder: Massachusetts 'Heartbroken'
• Somerville 'Career Criminal' Arrested For Killing Yarmouth Cop
• Accused Massachusetts Cop Killer Pleads Not Guilty
• 'The Massachusetts Criminal Justice System Has Let Us Down'

Yarmouth police Chief Frank Frederickson speaks during a vigil for fallen Officer Sean Gannon on April 14, 2018:

Photo: Yarmouth police Officer Sean Gannon, who was shot and killed in Barnstable April 12, 2018. (Credit: Office of Governor Charlie Baker)