However, he received
no recognition for his sacrifice for six decades after the incident. It
took the efforts of Mr. Jack Tanner, his sister Sissy Wallace, and
Captain John O'Connor.

The plaque might not have happened. But
Tanner spent six years investigating the circumstances of Donovan's
death, finding his relatives, and enlisted the help of Captain O'Connor.

After three years, it was brought to the attention of the Somerville Police Department.

Tanner's
father, Officer John Tanner, served on the Somerville police force for
35 years, and knew Donovan well. He served as a pallbearer at Donovan's
funeral. "Growing up," said Jack Tanner, "we always had a picture of
Tim on the table. I never knew Officer Donovan. I was too young. But my
father talked about him a lot. He would be proud." Donovan's widow, who
never remarried, often visited the Tanners at their home.

Somerville
has recognized others who have given their lives for the sake of the
community, namely Officer Mike Dowd, who was shot to death while on
duty. The respects shown to Dowd made the absence of a Donovan tribute
even more conspicuous.

Furthermore, Donovan has been recognized
by both Massachusetts and National law enforcement memorials, in Boston
and Washington, D.C. respectively. Until now, though, Somerville had
never recognized his sacrifice.

Why, then, such a glaring omission?

"Maybe it was because of the war," Captain O'Connor said, stating the general consensus.

Captain
O'Connor spent several hours a day for three months digging through the
Somerville PD's archives for official documentation of Donovan's death.
"Once we found that," he said, "everything fell into place."

O'Connor
added that even the long research process was rewarding. "It was
interesting to find out what a bustling city we had back then," he said.

Speakers at the dedication ceremony included Captain O'Connor, Chief Anthony Holloway, and Mayor Joseph Curtatone.

"Donovan's
sacrifice could happen to any of us who wear the badge," Captain
O'Connor reminded the crowd of mostly fellow law enforcement officers.
"We should never forget our fallen heroes."

"It's sobering,"
said Mayor Curtatone. "It's a good way for the community to step back
and appreciate the service of our police officers.

"In November
of 1942, it was the height of World War Two. Everyone had relatives who
were making the ultimate sacrifice. But if something like this happened
now, we would never have overlooked it. This really means something
special."

"This plaque will be here for a very long time: as
long as the Somerville PD is still here," Captain O'Connor said. "He's
one of our own, and I think this reflects well on our department and on
our city."