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In a show of solidarity and compassion, Holyolke Police Chief James Neiswanger gave his service weapon to a detective involved in a shootout with a crime suspect, according to a post on the Holyoke Police Department's Facebook page.

(Republican file photo)

HOLYOKE — It may have been only a symbolic gesture, but it meant a lot to rank-and-file cops in Holyoke – particularly to a detective involved in a shootout after confronting two people on Friday.

Officers involved in shootings must temporarily relinquish their guns as part of the formal investigation. Weapons typically are returned after officers are cleared, meaning no department policies were violated during exchanges of gunfire between police and crime suspects.

At some point after Friday's shooting, however, Holyoke Police Chief James Neiswanger, roughly 2½ years into his tour of duty as commander of one of the region's busiest law enforcement agencies, gave his gun to the detective involved in the shootout, according to the Police Department's official Facebook page.

"This may not seem like much, but as an officer it is a HUGE act of honor and loyalty. Good job Chief," says the post, which appears under the department's official Facebook avatar.

The detective in question is William Delgado, the first city police officer to respond to a gunfire report near the corner of South Elm Street and Parkview Terrace late Friday night.

Delgado identified himself as a police officer and exited his car to approach two males, one of whom pulled out a handgun and opened fire on the detective, according to court records.

Delgado, who had left open his car's driver-side door, dove back into the vehicle before exiting through the passenger door and returning fire. There were no reported injuries in the shooting, but the detective was shaken up and taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Afterward, Delgado surrendered his service weapon as part of the standard operating procedure following instances in which officers discharge their guns, according to police. But that's also when Neiswanger reportedly handed his service weapon to Delgado in a gesture of "honor, compassion and understanding," according to the department's Facebook page. The chief could not immediately be reached for comment.

"When this Officer lost the weapon that had saved his life, it is understandable he would feel naked and vulnerable," the post states. "As his weapon was taken ... our boss, Chief James Neiswanger, removed his own holster and side arm and gave it to the Officer."

Taken into custody in connection with the incident were 22-year-old Pedro Arroyo and a 17-year-old male, whose name wasn't publicly released. Arroyo was held on $500,000 bail after denying attempted murder and other charges at his arraignment Monday in Holyoke District Court. He's due back in court for a Feb. 12 pretrial conference.

Investigators said they recovered the .357-caliber Magnum they believe was used in the shooting, which damaged Delgado's car and at least two nearby buildings. The case remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, Neiswanger's gesture has been well-received by fellow officers and members of the public, dozens of whom have flooded the Police Department's Facebook page with positive comments.

"Great show of leadership. God bless the HOLYOKE POLICE DEPARTMENT," Aurelio Garcia said.

"Leadership personified," added Peggy Bowe, whose Facebook page identifies her as a city resident.

"What an outstanding act of trust and confidence in his officer and his department's understanding of a critical incident," wrote Mary O'Halloran, whose Facebook page identifies her as native of Galway, Ireland, who lives in Ware.

"Excellent leadership," declared an anonymous poster using the handle TheFat Elvis.