Each year the Knights of Columbus honors Police and Firefighter personnel with a Blue Mass and awards ceremony for the “Blue Knight”. The Blue Mass dates back to 1934. In Washington D.C., a Catholic Priest named Thomas Dade from Baltimore, Maryland Archdiocese, initiated the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society while stationed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Approximately 1,100 police and firefighters dressed in blue uniforms marched into St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for the celebration of the First Blue Mass on September 29th, 1934.
The City of Concord is represented by the Todos Santos Assembly- 2286 of the Knights of Columbus which includes;
Council 13195 – Queen of All Saints
Concord Council 6038 – St. Agnes and St. Bonaventure
Council 13179 -St. Francis of Assisi
Martinez Council 6039
Bishop Begin Council 7144
Every year these Councils recognize a “Blue Knight” Officer/Firefighter from Concord PD, Clayton PD, Martinez PD, The California Highway Patrol Martinez Office, The Contra Costa County Sheriff and Contra Costa County Fire.
Since 1997, The Concord Police Association has been honored to take part in this ceremony by nominating the recipient of this award, for our agency. The Concord Police Association proudly selected Corporal Kerry Cerletti as our “Blue Knight” for 2011.
Cpl. Cerletti came to Concord PD in January of 1972. During that time, he was assigned to the Financial Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Bureau. In January 1982, Cpl. Cerletti left police work to pursue his own business. In 1995, Cpl. Cerletti returned to the Concord PD family. During his second tour, he was assigned to our Special Enforcement Team, Car Crimes Team, Community Service Desk Corporal and Patrol Corporal. He has served as a department armorer and firearms instructor. He served time on the POA Negotiations Team and the City Retirement Board. Among other positions on our POA Board of Directors, he served as a faithful and steadfast President.
One of Cpl. Cerletti’s largest contributions to our organization was his leadership as a Field Training Officer. As an FTO, Cpl. Cerletti helped train over 30 recruit officers, which is more recruits than any other FTO.
Cpl. Cerletti retired on Friday, April 13th, 2012. We celebrate his legacy by recognizing a man of the deepest character, as proven by his dedication to service, to his community and to his family. May his retirement years be as good to him, as he’s been to our community and our organization.
CONCORD POLICE BLUE KNIGHT HONOREES
2011 — Cpl. Kerry Cerletti
2009 – Officer Samuel Figueroa
2008 – Corporal Sam Staten
2007 – Corporal Adam Hart
2006 – Corporal Bill Roche
2005 – Detective Ollie Sansen
2004 – Officer Craig Oelrich
2003 – Officer Joe Higby
2002 – Officer Don Lawson
2001 – Officer Steve Dyer
2000 – Officer Phil Pettus
1999 – Officer Danny Moore
1998 – Officer Judy Moore
1997 – Officer Robert Malm