From left, Linda Edelman, her husband Leo and Agawam Police Officer John Field stand next to the new DARE vehicle that honors Edelman’s late sister, Carol Taylor.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — Linda Edelman decided to honor her late sister Carol Taylor in a unique way: She made a large donation to the town to buy new equipment for the Police and Fire departments.
“Carol thought very highly of the town, so I thought she would approve of these donations,” said Edelman, an Agawam resident. “Carol always had respect for the police in the town. In later years, when she was in assisted living, she called the Fire Department ambulance a few times. The EMTs were always very professional and helpful to her.”
Taylor, who died in 2020, lived in Feeding Hills and Agawam her entire life. She started working for the town after graduating from Agawam High School and served her hometown as its auditor for 47 years.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
Earlier this year, Edelman spoke to Mayor Christopher Johnson about the needs of the two departments. Johnson consulted with the chiefs and then talked with Edelman. She agreed to use her donation for the DARE vehicle and the medical devices.
In June, the City Council approved two resolutions to accept Edelman’s donation. The first was for the purchase of a Physio-Control cardiac monitor defibrillator and a Lucas chest compression (CPR) device for $34,791. The second was for $46,995 to purchase a new vehicle for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, a police-taught class at Doering School. Both chiefs and Johnson said they are grateful to Edelman for her donation.
“We are extremely grateful for the generous donation provided by Ms. Edelman in the name of her sister,” said Fire Chief Alan Sirois. “This important lifesaving equipment has become a standard of care in our EMS service. The donation ensures that the Fire Department will be able to provide the highest quality care in the community for years to come.”
Police Chief Eric Gillis said since Taylor was always “a huge supporter” of public safety, he felt that buying a single high-visibility item was the best way to showcase the real reason for the donation: Edelman’s desire to honor the memory of her late sister.
“It’s been more than 15 years since the department has had a DARE vehicle. This very generous donation provided us with the opportunity to realize a goal of replacing it — something that has been unachievable for so many years,” he said.
Johnson said Taylor would be “thrilled” to have the new DARE vehicle and the first responder equipment donated in her honor.
“Carol was a great friend, and through her I met Linda. There are no words to express how much I appreciate Linda’s generosity,” he added.
The defibrillator quickly diagnoses heart rhythms and delivers lifesaving shocks during cardiac arrest, increasing chances of survival. The chest compression device provides consistent, high-quality chest compressions during CPR, ensuring effective blood flow to vital organs and reducing the variability of compressions done manually.
Sirois said the new equipment — which replaces existing equipment no longer supported by its manufacturer — has been placed in service on an ambulance based at fire headquarters.
“All other in-service ambulances have identical equipment onboard,” he said. “Together, these devices improve patient outcomes by enabling more efficient, precise treatment in critical cardiac emergencies.”
The value of a new DARE vehicle — a 2024 Ford Bronco SUV — is multi-faceted, said Gillis.
“On its face, the vehicle makes a visually bold statement about our department’s commitment to the delivery of a worthwhile DARE curriculum to our students and their families,” he said. “The high-profile nature of this vehicle leaves no doubt that our DARE program is alive and well, and will continue to be for future generations of students in our community.”
Most important, he said, is that the Bronco — wrapped in an eye-catching red, white and blue patriotic design — is a conversation starter.
“This gift affords members of our department another fantastic opportunity to have meaningful interactions, not just with schoolchildren, but also with all members of our community. Those conversations — and the opportunities they bring — are in keeping with the overall top-down community policing principles we employ every day.”
Gillis said the Bronco, purchased locally from Sarat Ford, was selected because of his discussions with Johnson.
“He expressed his desire that whatever vehicle we chose that it be ‘cool’ and attract the attention of students who now see it parked in front of the middle school each school day,” Gillis said.
In addition to the “cool” factor, Gillis said the department picked the Bronco over the police version of Ford Explorer SUVs used by the department because it is less expensive.
“Sarat Ford was very generous in assisting us in achieving the final result of our vision for this project,” said Gillis. “They sold us the Bronco at their cost, paid for the wrap that was applied, and also paid for and installed a lift kit, fender flares, and aftermarket wheels [and] tires. That equipment helped us achieve the show-stopping look we were looking for.”
Officer John Field, a certified DARE instructor for 25 years, designed the vehicle wrap.
“Officer Field worked with graphic designers at Go Graphix in East Longmeadow and gave a great deal of his own personal time in pursuit of our objective,” said Gillis.
Field combined his design ideas with Johnson’s desire to create an appropriate tribute to Taylor. Her name — which surrounds an image of the APD badge — appears on both rear doors and the hood.
DARE was started in Los Angeles in 1983 and Agawam began its DARE program in 1987. The program teaches fifth graders to use good decision-making skills to avoid drugs and lead safe, responsible lives.
