Bay State heroes in blue lauded
The children, wives and loved ones of Bay State police officers who were killed in the line of duty gathered yesterday for a ceremony at the State House.
“At any point in time, the people who have sworn an oath to protect us can be walking into something that goes from just another moment at work, to a life-threatening circumstance and situation,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “It’s incumbent on the rest of us who benefit from their courage and their commitment that we take these opportunities to say God Bless and thank you to them, and especially to their families and those they leave behind.”
The 31st annual Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation ceremony saw the induction of eight officers to the ranks of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Among them were Somerset police officer Benjamin Voss, state trooper Thomas Clardy, and Auburn police officer Ronald Tarentino Jr.
Voss, 35, was with his family in September 2013 when he collapsed shortly after leaving work. He was hospitalized, but never recovered. Clardy, 44, was on duty and pulled over on the side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton when a motorist hit his cruiser March 16, 2016. Tarentino, 42, was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in May 2016.
Baker said, “I hope the fact that we come back, year after year, to take this time to tell you how much we appreciated who you are, what you are, and what you and your family and your family member have been all about, is some consolation for your terrible loss.”