By: Daiyu Tang, preceded by Statement from HPD.
Photos By: Daiyu Tang ((All gallery images can be clicked to expand))
HPD Statement: Honouring Officer Charles Bolo: A Hero’s Farewell
On the 19th May 2024, we gathered to pay our final respects to a true hero, Officer Charles Bolo, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Officer Bolo’s unwavering commitment to serving our community and his courageous spirit will forever be remembered.
Officer Bolo’s funeral services was held, honouring his life and his dedication to public service. His bravery, integrity, and selfless devotion to duty have left an indelible mark on all who knew him and the community he served so faithfully.
In accordance with his last will and testament, Officer Bolo’s remains will be cremated following the funeral services. His ashes will be entrusted to his beloved girlfriend, honouring his final wishes and ensuring that his memory continues to live on in the hearts of those he loved most.
As we lay Officer Bolo to rest, we extend our deepest condolences to his girlfriend, family, and all who were fortunate enough to know him. We stand together in grief, remembering a fallen hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Officer Charles Bolo’s legacy will continue to inspire us all, reminding us of the selfless courage that defines our law enforcement officers. Today, we say goodbye to a hero, but his spirit will forever be a part of our community.
For further information, please contact: Lieutenant Detective Atsuko Nakayama
A Funeral
The Observer attended the funeral to witness the solemn occasion, one which has been repeated a number of times in the past. Whether is was a more general obituary such as for Anastasia or the more formal firing of the guns the list of funerals ticks on and on…
The funeral, set against a backdrop of escalating tensions between factions, civilians and the HPD drew limited protests, although as far as we saw from our Editor’s vantage point, this may have been because of the extensive fortifications deployed by the HPD as well as a very large contingent of officers, many armed with long guns. It would have been a very brave, or very foolish individual who choose the funeral to target HPD.
Rumours though did reach us, as we came near publication that a known felon with a penchant for flamboyant displays (think feathers) may have been involved in a hit and run involving an officer and some form of package delivered to HPD. We’re trying to get more clarity on this breaking story to see if it was at all related to Bolo’s funeral.
Irrespective of that, we found the funeral to be as expected. A sad feeling, a reflection on a life passing but tinged by the knowledge, surely of some of those present that such a loss is to be expected in Hathian. Some have seen many such losses and even those who generally dislike the HPD must surely feel some empathy as those that remain watch their colleagues drop. Stories are extinguished, bonds broken and new hires come without the knowledge of their former comrades. Perhaps the cycle of violence thus spins faster…
Radio Check
Officers climbed onto the stage, but before the traditional gun salute, it was the turn of Officer Ellis to go through what appeared to be an emotional and difficult speech:
Ellis: “Alright. First of all I would like to thank you all for coming in behalf of our late colleague and amazing person. Charles Bolo was a person dedicated not only to his work, but also to the people. Always first at the scene, always first to help…”
Now please let us give the last goodbye to our colleague, partner and a friend…. All units, standby. Code 10-3 for this channel, for final call. This is the final call for Officer Charles Bolo Badge number 93372, Callsign Adam-46686. D-699 to A-686, Reply……. D-699 to A-686 Reply…….. D-699 to A-686, Reply please
End of Watch, Senior Officer Charles Bolo, badge number 93372, is now 10-42. Rest in peace, our brother in blue. We have it from here. Code 10-3 is lifted. David-28699, clear…”
HPD Officer Ellis
Ellis: “Bolo was not only my colleague but also a friend. I remember that he was always by my side when people that we are so hard trying to protect on a daily basis kept attacking us. He was first to visit at hospital. He was first to snatch the whiskey so the nurses couldn’t see. Chuck was a man close to his retirement. I was going to organize a party for him when I return from the trip to Vegas. I was going to celebrate my marriage with him and a few others. He always showed care. He always was near. He never disappointed me or anyone from the forces. This man was truly HPD’s treasure.”
Ellis: “I don’t want to keep telling you what of a person Bolo was. You all already know. And you all know that he would give his life to protect all of us. No matter how much of a pain in the ass some of us can be…. Brother… Justice will be served, you will always stay in our hearts and we will always remember you as a great man and amazing police officer. I could speak about you for hours. But some of our slang they won’t probably understand. Gone, but not forgotten…”
Carter now asked for other officers to come and speak words if they wanted to:
Officer Montanari: “Bolo… He was the real deal.. He knew what it took to police this city and deal with it’s people. He was old school, that’s for damn sure. And a tough bastard. I have nothing but the deepest respect for him… He understood at the end of the day that we have to be harder and better than the rest of those people out there that think they run this city… And he knew how to teach people… teach new cops… how to do that. Semper Fidelis brother.”
With Aubin leading the rifles on the stage he went through the practiced ritual. ‘Attention‘ / ‘Port Arms‘ / ‘Ready‘ / ‘Aim‘ / ‘Fire‘ and with that the ritual was complete and the HPD would have laid another of their fallen colleagues to rest.
All that was left for me to do was round on the photos of others and then make my way back to the office where Reader, it likely doesn’t surprise you that an interesting packet was waiting for me. What I saw in it I could Bearly manage to sit through. Ouroboros. Our next article will come soon.
