THE STORY BEHIND THE SKETCH

Officer Dom credits his mom to showing him the value of a smile, the power of a hug and the strength of kind words

By Joanie Allbee

The answer to last week’s sketch is an extraordinary man who seems to whisper to roadblocks “MOVE” and they disintegrate as he blazes through breaking new ground. The outgoing trailblazer is Domenic Montano, who has done more to benefit society in a few years than most do in a lifetime.

Domenic is a Saugus High graduate (Class of 2006) who continued on to Salem State College, earning a Bachelors in 2010. He then graduated from the Police Academy in 2013. Officer Montano became a Saugus Police Officer in 2013. He takes pride and joy in serving the public with his bright smile and positive nature.

Domenic is founder and president of a car show called “Cars and Cops,“ a fund-raiser that he established in 2018. Cars and Cops is a family fun time full of attractions and vendors and Domenic’s jeep, “Jurassic Park,” complete with a dinosaur peeking out the rear window. In addition, his Jurassic Park jeep can be seen in parades and other fundraising events. A portion of proceeds from Dom’s “Cars and Cops” car show goes to the Greg Hill Foundation, which assists locals who have sudden losses through tragedies.

Montano helped put into action the plans of a K-9 Memorial and worked hard with team members to see it to fruition. Heroic police dogs, such as deceased Bruin, will now have a serene place to rest weary paws thanks to these efforts.

Officer Domenic is a Direct Representative and the President of the Massachusetts’s Pink Patch Project – they promote the pink patch in support of Breast Cancer awareness. All proceeds from sales benefit the Fight on Breast Cancer research. To show support, a $10.00 pink patch, a t-shirt for $30.00 or a $20.00 ball cap can be purchased at masspinkpatchproject.com

A motto for Pink Patch on their website is “Let’s unite to fight this disease together!” (This Sketch Artist purchased a N.E. Patriots pink patch to unite in support.)

Mr. Montano was a candidate for Board of Selectmen and was chiefly concerned about addressing pertinent issues and residents’ safety and happiness.

Domenic proudly gives his parents credit in all he does and has become. He’s honored his mother Domenica in various media, saying how she has shown him the value of a smile, the power of a hug and the strength of kind words. Officer Dom exerts these ethics in all his endeavors.

He can be seen at school events and Public Safety outreaches and as a bridge of communication between Law Enforcement and Community. Anything that cuts to the heart of the matter, Domenic seems to be right there – front and center. One of these occasions was on his friend’s son’s Birthday.

The boy loves police officers and desires to be one someday. He was hoping to get to see Officer Dom ride by. But Dom was unable to do so because of a busy schedule. Dom apologized and the boy understood. The next day Dom went that extra mile and presented the Birthday boy with a special handmade police theme present. A gift to treasure and fuel the child’s dreams of one day wearing the badge.

Domenic touches more lives than he could possibly know. To him, it’s all in a day’s work of just being himself. Dom continues lighting paths while staying silently in the background.

Our hats off in salute to our dedicated Saugonian who serves and protects. Keep shining those headlights dispersing & illuminating the darkness. Thank you.

Congratulations to Ty Oxley, who entered last week’s contest and guessed correctly, and then Ty’s name was drawn out of a hat of many to win a $10.00 coffee shop gift certificate.

Yours truly, “THE SKETCH ARTIST”

  Editor’s Note: Joanie Allbee is a frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate, best known as “The Sketch Artist” and for her caricature portraits. She’s a local artist and writer.