Detective Ernesto “Tito” Whittington

Ernesto Whittington
By Bostonherald.com staff
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - Updated: 08:11 AM EST

Detective Ernesto “Tito” Whittington of Roxbury, formerly of Brooklyn and the Republic of Panama, a decorated 22-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, died Saturday at Massachusetts General Hospital from complications following a second liver transplant. He was 51.

“He was eveyone’s favorite cop. And he was my hero,” said his brother, Rogelio “Ro.”
    Mr. Whittington was born in Panama. His family packed up and moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., when he was just 5 years old. Raised in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, he was educated in Brooklyn public schools, graduating from Lincoln High School.
    Mr. Whittington moved to Boston in 1973 to attend Northeastern University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1977. He lived with his aunt and uncle in the Mission Hill section of Roxbury.
    Prior to becoming a police officer, Mr. Whittington worked as a security guard for Protect-O-Alarm Co. He also was a day-care teacher at NICE Day Care Center and an assistant in the operations room at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
    In 1982, his eldest brother, James “Jimmy” Jr., a Brooklyn police detective, was fatally shot on a sidewalk in front of a public housing development in Brooklyn. This tragedy had a profound effect on Mr. Whittington, who, in March 1983, entered the police academy.
    Mr. Whittington became a Boston police officer in 1984.
    He was a member of the Crime Unit, Training & Education Unit, Anti-Gang Violence Unit, Sexual Assault Unit and the Community Disorders Unit.
    Mr. Whittington received the distinguished police Medal of Honor and several commissioners’ commendations. He also received the Unsung Heroes Award from the Philanthropic Initiative Foundation.
    At the time of his death, he was a member of the Team School Police Unit.
    Mr. Whittington was well-known and recognized for his two appearances on the popular television show “Cops” and was quite fond of its theme song.
    He was a valued member of the Boston Strategy to Prevent Youth Violence and represented the Boston Police Department locally and nationally at a number of panels, workshops and conferences. He loved children and often could be found playing with them at functions he attended.
    Mr. Whittington was a member of the Prince Hall’s Masons, the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers and the Roxbury Salvation Army Corps, where he played solo cornet in their brass band. He was also a Shriner.
    He was an avid reader, a movie and television buff and a fan of rap music. Family and friends remember his as generous, witty, fearless, humorous and brave.
    Loved by all, Mr. Whittington will be missed for his friendship, loyalty, infectious spirit, commitment to work and, most of all, his great sense of humor, family members said.
    He is survived by his mother, Gladys of Jamaica Plain; two brothers, Erroll of New York and Rogelio of Boston; his adopted brother, Jeff Coaston of Boston; his aunt, Catalina, and uncle, Edward, of Mission Hil; his police partner, Carmell Precia of Boston; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
    Visiting hours will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Davis Funeral Home, Boston.
    A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Masonic Lodge, Dorchester.