At approximately 1:30 am this morning Sergeant Douglas A. Weddleton assigned to State Police Foxboro was struck and killed by a vehicle while outside his cruiser during a stop of a suspected impaired driver on Rt. 95 North in Mansfield.

Sergeant Weddleton, 52 of Brockton, is a member of the 65th R.T.T. who began his career [...]]]>

At approximately 1:30 am this morning Sergeant Douglas A. Weddleton assigned to State Police Foxboro was struck and killed by a vehicle while outside his cruiser during a stop of a suspected impaired driver on Rt. 95 North in Mansfield.

Sergeant Weddleton, 52 of Brockton, is a member of the 65^th R.T.T. who began his career in Troop D in May 1983. Sergeant Weddleton spent most of his career assigned to the Firearms Identification Section from 1993 to 2008 before recently transferring to Troop H. Sergeant Weddleton is survived by his wife Judith and four sons Stephen, 26, Mark 23, Ross, 18, and Matthew, 14.

Sergeant Weddleton was a highly respected and esteemed member of the Department known for his expertise as a ballistician and for being a supportive, friendly, and hard working supervisor in the Division of Field Services and Division of Investigative Services. Sergeant Weddleton will be sorely missed by all those who have had the privilege of working with him over his 27 years with the State Police. We are profoundly grateful for his service and sacrifice.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Weddleton’s family, friends, and co-workers as they mourn their tragic loss. In the coming days we will do our best to support his family and to acknowledge his service to the Commonwealth and the ultimate sacrifice he made in fulfilling his duties as a state police officer.

Boston Herald: Authorities: Drunk driver killed veteran trooper

Anthony Perry, 45, of Hyde Park is led into Attleboro District Court to face charges of motor vehicle homicide Friday. (Boston Herald Photo)

…Col. Marian McGovern said Trooper Doug Weddleton, 52, was in full uniform and wearing a safety vest at about 1:20 a.m. at the detail on I-95 in Mansfield when he pulled over the driver of an Acura who was weaving on the roadway. As he spoke with that driver – identified as Kenneth Weiand, 43, of Walpole – another driver, Anthony Perry, 45, of Hyde Park allegedly smashed a Ford truck into the Acura, which dragged Weddleton across three lanes, McGovern said.

Perry faces charges of negligent motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, negligent operation, speeding and violating the “move over” law. Additional charges are possible pending the results of the investigation. Weiand, who authorities said refused to take a Breathalyzer test, is charged with OUI.

Both Perry and Weiand have lengthy driving records. Perry had his license suspended and reinstated twice during the 1980s and early 1990s. His record includes six surchargeable accidents, several speeding tickets and twice failing to stop for police.

Unfortunately for the suspect, the two [...]]]> By George Graham, The Republican

May 14, 2010, 8:06AM

SPRINGFIELD – A pair of sharp-eyed state troopers, working a construction detail on Interstate 91 Thursday night, saw a 25-year-old Chicopee man suspected of breaking into a house in Chesterfield earlier in the day and placed him under arrest.

Unfortunately for the suspect, the two troopers working the detail had first-hand knowledge of the break-in because it had occurred on their watch out of the Northampton barracks nearly seven hours before…

More: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/state_police_arrest_25-year-ol.html

Troopers in the Springfield barracks (B-3) receive a cell phone report of a hit and run in Springfield with some minor damage and the responsible SUV fleeing the scene. Caller stays on the phone and follows the offending vehicle up Route 91 onto 391 into Chicopee. B-3 cruisers catch [...]]]> All in a night’s work.

March 14, 2010

Troopers in the Springfield barracks (B-3) receive a cell phone report of a hit and run in Springfield with some minor damage and the responsible SUV fleeing the scene. Caller stays on the phone and follows the offending vehicle up Route 91 onto 391 into Chicopee. B-3 cruisers catch up to the SUV and stop it just before the Holyoke line. Undaunted by the obvious signs of an impact on the front of her vehicle, the female operator insists she never hit another car. She is found to be not only drunk but in possession of suspected crack cocaine and placed into custody by Trooper Jarred Tiberi. Her 8-year old child who was asleep in the vehicle is brought to the barracks by Trooper Aaron Kane until a sober and responsible family member can come pick him up while Mom is being booked and DYS is notified.

During the booking process, the name of the defendant’s other children’s father rings a bell with Trooper Mark Weiner. Apparently the father led Trooper Weiner on a chase up Route 91 about a year and a half back, during which time he attempted to discard – (wait for it) – crack cocaine on the highway. A set of Stinger tire deflation devices and the diligent pursuit by the B3 mid shift patrols brought this miscreant’s flight to a halt, and the discarded crack was recovered. Turns out our failed criminal also failed to pay up his court costs and fines after being convicted, and when he showed up at B3 to bail out his lady friend, the Troopers threw him an unexpected reunion, where he was once again marched into the booking room in handcuffs.

Icing on the cake: The noble gentleman takes the bail money intended for his woman friend and uses it for himself, leaving her locked up. Class act, all the way.

Jerzy Auguscik, 49, of Ware was hospitalized after going the wrong way on the South End Bridge in Springfield and crashing his [...]]]> SPRINGFIELD (February 15, 2010):

The operator of a vehicle involved in a crash after going the wrong way on the South End Bridge is extricated from his vehicle by State Police and Agawam EMS personnel.

Jerzy Auguscik, 49, of Ware was hospitalized after going the wrong way on the South End Bridge in Springfield and crashing his Chevrolet Lumina into a Honda Ridgeline SUV operated by Matthew Hubbard of Agawam at approximately 11:30PM. Although both vehicles airbags deployed, Auguscik was not wearing his seatbelt and as a result was thrown into the windshield of his vehicle, sustaining head injuries. Hubbard was seatbelted and did not require medical attention at the scene.

Auguscik is being charged with wrong-way operation, negligent operation and operating under the influence of alcohol. The crash was investiagated by Troopers assigned to the Springfield barracks.

Copy By: Elizabeth Roman / Masslive

January 31, 2010, 5:14PM

Troopers Jonathan Nugent and Matthew Simpson secure an infant in a warm cruiser after it was removed from a car involved in a late night vehicle pursuit. (Photo by the State Police Association of Massachusetts)

HOLYOKE – Two Hartford men were arrested [...]]]> Photo: State Police Association of Massachusetts

Copy By: Elizabeth Roman / Masslive

January 31, 2010, 5:14PM

Troopers Jonathan Nugent and Matthew Simpson secure an infant in a warm cruiser after it was removed from a car involved in a late night vehicle pursuit. (Photo by the State Police Association of Massachusetts)

HOLYOKE – Two Hartford men were arrested Sunday morning after leading police on a high-speed chase down Interstate 391.

Lt. Michael Higgins said Holyoke police officers tried to stop the vehicle around 1:30 a.m. Sunday for a taillight which was out.

“The driver did not stop, but instead hopped on 391 southbound and led police on a chase driving the car up to 120 miles per hour with two small children in the car,” he said…

…Link to Masslive article

Levasseur served 18 years, less than half of a [...]]]> Parole Commission denies convicted terrorist permission to travel out of Maine

The United States Parole Commission has denied convicted serial bomber and domestic terrorist Raymond Levasseur permission to travel to Massachusetts to make an appearance at a controversial and ill-planned event at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Levasseur served 18 years, less than half of a 45 year sentence for his role as leader of the United Freedom Front, a domestic terrorist gang that was responsible for blowing up over 20 buildings, conducting armed bank robberies to fund their violent agenda, attempting to murder two Massachusetts State Troopers and the brutal slaying of New Jersey Trooper Phil Lamonaco. He is currently living in a federal halfway house in Maine.

His appearance having been canceled once already, the anarchist’s event was resurrected – according to WHDH, Levasseur was quietly “re-invited by a faculty group spearheaded by UMass Professor Sara Lennox”, whose 2008 salary was over $118,000.

Although it once again appears that Levasseur will not be in attendance at the UMass event, his wife and lawyers are expected to participate and speak on his behalf and the event has not been canceled. Numerous police organizations and the widow of Trooper Lamonaco still plan to protest the reprehensible glorification of this unrepentant, violent criminal, and call on the public, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the administration of UMass to join them at UMass on Thursday evening to express their condemnation of Levasseur and his terrorist agenda.

The widow of a slain New Jersey State Trooper as well as numerous members of many police departments and organizations are expected to be at UMass in Amherst on Thursday evening to [...]]]> Challenge given to UMass Administration, Governor

New Jersey State Trooper Phil Lamonaco was murdered by members of Levasseur's terrorist organization on December 21, 1981

The widow of a slain New Jersey State Trooper as well as numerous members of many police departments and organizations are expected to be at UMass in Amherst on Thursday evening to protest the appearance of convicted terrorist Raymond Levasseur.

Levasseur was the leader of the anarchist group “United Freedom Front” whose members were responsible for over 20 bombings of historic and public buildings including the Suffolk County Courthouse during which a number of people were injured, some severely, the attempted murder of two Massachusetts State Troopers and the brutal slaying of New Jersey Trooper Phillip Lamonaco. The group funded their spree of crime and terror by committing bank robberies in excess of $200,000.

Levasseur was convicted of conspiracy and bombings and was paroled after serving less than half of a 45-year sentence. He currently remains on federal probation, living in a halfway house in Maine. When his appearance at UMass was initially announced, it resulted in an outcry by police organizations and Trooper Lamonaco’s widow that went unanswered until publicized in the media. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick intervened and the appearance was canceled.

According to WHDH, Levasseur was quietly “re-invited by a faculty group spearheaded by UMass Professor Sara Lennox”, whose 2008 salary was over $118,000.

Upon learning of the resurrection of this terrorist’s appearance, Governor Patrick said, “I am more than a little disappointed about the invitation having been extended …I fully get and respect the idea of free speech, but I think it is a reflection of profound insensitivity to continue to try to have this former terrorist on a campus, and I’m encouraging them to oppose this.”

UMass administration seems to agree with Governor Patrick, releasing a statement saying, “Originally, the event was to be sponsored by the university library and called a colloquium of social change, which included Levasseur. That event was canceled by the library in part because of the response to it.”

“We expressed our opinion, and we don’t like it. But faculty can invite who they want,” (UMass spokesman) Callahan said. “The notion of academic freedom is just that, those that teach and research here can follow any path they wish as long as it’s not illegal or unethical. Inviting an unpopular person is none of those things.”

We invite Governor Patrick and the University of Massachusetts administration and faculty to show that their statements are not just lip service, and to join us on Thursday evening to protest the distasteful and pointless glorification of a convicted sociopathic terrorist who has never shown remorse for his violent criminal acts.

Excerpts from Boston Herald Article:

A fuming Gov. Deval Patrick is taking on University of Massachusetts officials who now say they must allow a convicted terror bomber to speak on campus because of “academic freedom” – even after angry cops thought the event had been stopped.

“Gov. Patrick is outraged [...]]]> University administration kowtows to pressure from terrorist supporters.

Excerpts from Boston Herald Article:

A fuming Gov. Deval Patrick is taking on University of Massachusetts officials who now say they must allow a convicted terror bomber to speak on campus because of “academic freedom” – even after angry cops thought the event had been stopped.

“Gov. Patrick is outraged and extremely disappointed at reports that the University of Massachusetts has again extended a speaking invitation to Raymond Luc Levasseur,” said Patrick spokesman Joe Landolfi.

The governor last night called on UMass brass to “review” the abrupt about-face.

“It’s truly unbelievable,” said Rick Brown, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, who added that cops from around the nation are prepared to protest the event. “If the governor told UMass not to bring this terrorist to a taxpayer-funded campus, it should not be happening.”

Law enforcement sources said the event will take place in a campus building. Separate sources said the event is being sponsored by the Department of Social Thought and Political Economy, a progressive campus group, and that a UMass professor extended the invitation to Levasseur. Attempts to reach that group last night were unsuccessful.

Entire Boston Herald Article

On a cold winter night at approximately two o’clock in the morning of February 7, 1982, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Paul Landry pulled into the southbound North Attleboro, Massachusetts rest area off Route [...]]]> The Attempted Murder of Massachusetts State Troopers Paul Landry and Michael Crosby by Members of Raymond Levasseur’s Terrorist “United Freedom Front” in 1982:

On a cold winter night at approximately two o’clock in the morning of February 7, 1982, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Paul Landry pulled into the southbound North Attleboro, Massachusetts rest area off Route 95 for a routine check of all parked vehicles. It was customary State Police winter policy to check parked vehicles for their occupants’ safety and crime detection. There were two vehicles in the rest area on this night. One in particular was a 1978 green Plymouth station wagon, another was a van. Trooper Landry did not see anyone in the van, however, he noticed two men in the station wagon as he drove past it. Turning his cruiser around at the opposite end of the rest area he drove toward the station wagon stopping in front of it, shining the cruiser’s headlights into it. One of the occupants, the driver, was a white man, the passenger was a black man. He stepped out of his cruiser and approached the driver. As he approached, he noticed that the two men appeared nervous. Their vehicle’s engine was running, but the lights were out and there was a dog, a doberman pinscher in the back cargo area. Trooper Landry noticed a green bag on the floor under the passenger side and another duffle bag in back with the dog. Also, the passenger had his right hand tucked inside his jacket in the area of his trousers’ belt. Trooper Landry testified that he suspected the passenger had a gun.

He asked the two men why they were there and asked them for identification. They told him they had come from New Hampshire and were tired. They produced New York drivers licenses. The vehicle was registered in Massachusetts. The driver told the trooper the car belonged to his girl friend, but he didn’t know her telephone number when asked. One of the New York licenses, the driver’s, had a picture attached to it when it was handed to the trooper, however the passenger’s did not. The passenger turned out to be Christopher King. He presented Trooper Landry with a license with the name Lester Jordan printed on it with a Brooklyn, New York address. The other license was for a Salvatore Bella also of Brooklyn.

Trooper Landry returned to his cruiser with both licenses and the registration and called in to check on them. The response from headquarters was negative. There were no reports relative to either of the two men or the vehicle.

Troopers Paul Landry and Michael Crosby with weapons siezed from UFF terrorists after the late-night shootout.

While waiting for this report, the trooper moved the cruiser from the front of the station wagon to a point directly behind it to watch the two men. Trooper Landry noticed that they continued to act very nervous, constantly looking at each other and back at him. He was suspicious of their identity, the registration of the car, their demeanor and the way the passenger had held his hand inside his jacket. He decided to radio for assistance and Trooper Michael Crosby responded to the call, arriving a few minutes later. Landry briefed Crosby and then the two troopers approached the station wagon from the passenger’s side. This time the green bag on the floor under the passenger seat was not there. They asked the passenger to step from the vehicle and when he was outside of it Landry asked him what he had in his coat. As Landry asked the question he reached out to touch the man’s jacket and the man jumped back pushing Landry’s hand away. However, Landry felt what he thought was a bullet proof vest. Landry told Trooper Crosby to watch the driver and began to draw his gun ordering the passenger to put his hands on his head. Again, Landry reached toward the man’s belt and was pushed away. At this moment the driver jumped out of the car and crouching, ran back and forth along the opposite side of the car, popping his head up and down intermittently. Landry grabbed the passenger and pulled back from the car toward the woods behind him as the driver began firing a gun in their direction. Landry dropped the passenger to the ground, pulled a 9 MM semi-automatic pistol from the man’s belt and handcuffed him, then returned shots toward the driver who ran off into the woods adjacent to the rest area. Back up assistance arrived, the dog was removed from the station wagon and a light search of the vehicle was conducted at the scene turning up a .45 caliber semi-automatic carbine, a 12 gauge shot gun and quantities of ammunition from the duffle bag that was in the rear of the car. A later inventory search of the vehicle at headquarters turned up the green bag. It had been tucked under the seat and contained a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and more ammunition as well as numerous licenses and identification belonging to other persons. One of these, however, identified the driver as Jaan Laaman. The passenger, Christopher King, was searched at the barracks and he was found to be wearing a bullet proof vest.

Remember, criminals don’t take furlough days.