'Heroes Behind the Badge': FREE Screening!

It won't cost you a cent.

Your takeaway, however, may last a lifetime.

The Bedford Police Department, at 7 p.m., on Saturday, May 18, will present the New Hampshire premiere of "Heroes Behind the Badge" in the Bedford High School Auditorium.

The Bedford Police Officers Association teamed up with the Bedford Police Union to bring the nationally-acclaimed movie to the Granite State, and to do so free of charge to those who attend.

According to a Bedford Police release, "Heroes Behind The Badge" tells the powerful and shocking stories of real-life police officers who lost their lives while performing their jobs, as well as the stories of other real-life officers who survived traumatic assaults.

The professionally produced docu-drama candidly examines the aftermath of in-the-line of duty law enforcement tragedies and focuses on the impact those events have on law enforcement families, co-workers, and communities.

The 90-minute independently-produced movie is dedicated to police officers from throughout the country, and drives home the reality that in the United States, a law enforcement officer is killed every 54 hours while in the line of duty. Hundreds more survive life-threatening injuries each year.

Because of the graphic nature of some portions, the movie is not recommended for viewing by children under the age of 14.

The event is coming to New Hampshire through the efforts of members from the Bedford Police Department Association and Union, which spent the past three months raising funds to finance the NH premier of the movie in Bedford.

Normally, the costs for showing the movie are financed by charging $20 each ticket; however, the Bedford Police Officers Association and Bedford Police Union decided this movie was so important for local residents to view, they raised funds to allow all area residents to watch the special event free of charge.

According to Officer Christopher Storti, President of Bedford Police Officers' Union, most of the money raised to bring the movie does not go to the movie's producers, but is directed instead to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. There, officers, families, loved ones and associates will gather in Washington, D.C. next week to see the names of their fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, loved ones, colleagues and friends inscribed on the Memorial Wall, commemorating the fact they gave their final and full measure to protect and defend their communities from harm and to keep those they're sworn to protect safe and secure.

Several local businesses have already contributed to the effort, but Bedford officers are still working to raise another $3000 to cover all costs. Individuals and businesses are invited to help support the special multi-community area event, and checks can be made out to the Bedford Police Association, and mailed to or dropped off at the Bedford Police Department.

Doors will open for the event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Bedford High School, which is located at the intersection of County and Nashua Roads. A large crowd is expected, so early arrival is suggested to secure seats. 

The program begins promptly at 7 p.m. with a short speakers' program that will include brief remarks from Bedford Police Chief John Bryfonski, Bedford Town Manager Jessie Levine, Hillsborough County Attorney Patricia LaFrance and invitee U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte. Bedford Town Councilor Jim Scanlon will deliver the invocation, and the evening's very special guest speaker will be Manchester Police Officer Dan Doherty, who survived a shooting attack in Manchester in 2012.

During the evening, voluntary contributions will be accepted to benefit the Police, Fire & EMS Foundation of New Hampshire.

Any questions should be directed to Bedford Police Officer Christopher Storti at 472-5113.