May 21, 2007 10:53 pm US/Eastern
Fallen Officer Honored By N.H. Fisher Cats
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WBZ) ―
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Michael Briggs left behind a wife and two sons.
CBS
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Briggs' funeral was held at the Fisher Cats stadium last October.
CBS
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are paying the team's highest tribute to fallen Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs.
In a move usually reserved for sports superstars, the team is retiring the officer's badge number. Number 83 was the badge worn by Briggs when he was shot and killed last October while investigating a domestic disturbance.
The minor league team retired number 83 on the outfield wall during a pre-game ceremony at Merchants Auto.com stadium on Monday. Briggs' memorial service was held in the stadium last fall. "Now all of us will forever remember number 83 and how it really does reflect Michael Briggs and his commitment, passion and dedication to this city," said New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch.
The number is the first retired by the Fisher Cats. It means no player will ever wear that number on the field.
Brigg's two sons -- with some help from Lynch -- threw out the opening pitch and the first ever Michael Briggs Community Hero Award was presented to David Silva, an 11-year-old who was on April vacation in Walt Disney World when he helped catch a sexual predator. "Surprising," said David, "I didn't know that I would probably win it."
The significance of the honor, named after the fallen Officer Briggs, was not lost on David's father. "His courage, his measure of a hero... I mean, we were just doing the right thing. He's a true hero."
In June, Briggs will be honored in his hometown of Epsom when a portion of Route 4 and a traffic circle will be named after him.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Slideshow: Officer Michael Briggs Remembered
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