As the latest Netflix documentary explores the Boston Marathon Bombings, the story of Officer Dennis Simmonds, who lost his life in the Watertown shootout, comes to light.

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On April 18, 2013, following the Boston Marathon bombings, police officer Dennis Simmonds was on duty when he was hit by shrapnel from an explosive thrown by Tamerlan Tsarnaev, one of the two brothers responsible for the attack. Simmonds initially survived the attack but later died from complications related to his injuries.

Who was Dennis Simmonds? 

Born in Haiti, Simmonds grew up in Massachusetts and was a star athlete in high school. After graduation, he pursued a career in law enforcement and joined the Boston Police Department in 2008. Simmonds quickly rose through the ranks, earning the nickname “Superman” from his fellow officers for his bravery and dedication to the job.

Simmonds was a member of the Boston Police Department’s SWAT team and was among the first responders to the bombing at the Boston Marathon finish line. During the subsequent manhunt for the Tsarnaev brothers, Simmonds was stationed in Watertown, where the suspects were eventually located. When the brothers opened fire on law enforcement officers, Simmonds was hit and rushed to a hospital, where he later died.

Simmonds’ death devastated his family, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a kind and dedicated officer who loved his job. His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, including Governor Deval Patrick and former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.

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In the years since his death, Simmonds has been honored in various ways, including the naming of a gymnasium at the Boston Police Academy in his honor. His legacy lives on as a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect their communities.