Attleboro Mayor, Police Chief and Council Honor Rep. George Ross

State Rep. George Ross was in tears Tuesday evening as one by one, city officials thanked him for his more than 12 years of service to the city during the Attleboro City Council meeting.

Ross was first honored by Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, who thanked him for the contributions he made to the city as Ward 2 councilman from January 1998 to November 2010. 

"George, thank you so much for all of your years of service on boards and commissions, your service here as Attleboro city councilor and certainly your future in the Statehouse," Dumas said. "I know that you will do well."

Acting Police Chief Kyle Heagney gave Ross several parting gifts, including an hat, official patch, an unofficial patch and a gag gift– a pair of handcuffs for those at the Statehouse who give him a hard time. 

Former fellow Councilman Walter Thibodeau presented Ross with a Resolution of Appreciation for faithfully serving the city of Attleboro as demonstrated by his actions on Jan. 18, 1984, when Ross was credited with saving the lives of three people trapped in their apartment by fire at 67 Peck St.

Thibodeau also read through the various committees and boards of which Ross has chaired or been a member.

Ross was chairman of the Public Safety and Emergency Management committee for 12 years, was chairman of the Municipal Development and Personnel committee, and was a member of the Attleboro Housing Authority, Attleboro Police Commission and Attleboro Planning Board.

"George's contribution to the city of Attleboro will live on for years to come," Thibodeau said before hugging his good friend.

"I miss each and every one of you," an emotional Ross said. "We all worked well together."