To EVERYONE out on the roads, PUT DOWN YOUR IPOD, HANG UP THE PHONE, PUT AWAY YOUR MAKEUP, STOW THE NEWSPAPER, SLOW DOWN, PAY ATTENTION AND [...]]]> Motorist with lengthy motor vehicle violation history and almost a dozen suspensions speeding and weaving across lanes before crashing into Trooper on the roadside. No excuses, no shifting the blame.

To EVERYONE out on the roads, PUT DOWN YOUR IPOD, HANG UP THE PHONE, PUT AWAY YOUR MAKEUP, STOW THE NEWSPAPER, SLOW DOWN, PAY ATTENTION AND STOP MAIMING AND KILLING POLICE OFFICERS!!! THEIR LIVES ARE WORTH MORE THAN 5 SECONDS OFF YOUR TRIP!!!

Boston Globe:

Hartford Courant via Insurance News:

Driver had License Suspended 10 Times:

Sept. 04–The man who police said veered across I-91 and crashed into a police cruiser Thursday, killing a state trooper, has had his license suspended 10 times, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

In fact, Michael Pajak, 32, of Enfield drove legally for a single day — April 2, 2002 — during the seven years from Nov. 15, 2000, to Sept. 28, 2007, according to DMV records. His license was not suspended at the time of Thursday’s crash.

Pajak also has at least two arrests on a charge of driving while intoxicated, according to court records obtained Friday. It is not clear whether alcohol was involved in Thursday’s crash, which killed Trooper First Class Kenneth Hall.

WGGB ABC40:

Police Procession Honors Trooper Hall

WINDSOR, Conn. (WGGB) — Hundreds of police, fire, and EMS lined Interstate 91 in tribute as the body of Trooper First Class Kenneth Hall was brought back to Connecticut from western Massachusetts.

Trooper Hall was killed while on duty Thursday on I-91 in Enfield.

On Friday, a long procession of police cars accompanied Hall’s body back from Massachusetts to Connecticut…

Masscops:

…I am the father of a 12 year veteran of the Connecticut State Police and signed the petition “MOVE OVER FOR TROOPERS”, that was signed into law by CT Governor Rell.
This most recent tragedy crushes me to the core and I can only say “REST IN PEACE Trooper First Class Kenneth Hall” and be vigilant to all who serve between good and bad.
There are those of us that want each and every one of you to return home safely at the end of your watch. – AHC

More than 1,600 Bay State motorists cited for breaking [...]]]> Boston Herald: Cops pushed around on move-over law.

“It’s not taken seriously by the courts and maybe it’s not being respected by the public and it’s my troopers and emergency workers who are at risk,” - Rick Brown, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts.

More than 1,600 Bay State motorists cited for breaking the highly touted move-over law – and jeopardizing the lives of state and local cops – have beat the reckless driving rap in court despite aggressive ticketing efforts by cops, a Herald review has found.
The shocking new numbers come after two troopers were struck by holiday motorists over the weekend and two weeks after state police Sgt. Douglas Weddleton was killed…

…Officers have handed out 3,792 citations as of March, RMV figures show. Of those citations, 40 percent or 1,509 drivers have been found responsible and paid the $100 fine, while 1,613 drivers beat the ticket, figures show. The remaining 680 citations were entered as defaults or are still pending before the court, the RMV said.

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

DANVERS — When the state changed the law to let civilian flaggers work traffic details, it was expected to save money.

It’s hard to see where there will be savings, however, on the three-year project to [...]]]> Civilian flaggers cost state more cash: Mass. to pay $54/hour for Route 128 workers

By Bruno Matarazzo Jr. and Alan Burke
Staff Writers
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_081183507.html

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.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/an_east_hartford_man_arrested.html

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

WORCESTER – The first woman to command the Massachusetts State Police has been sworn into office.

.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/col_marian_mcgovern_sworn_in_a.html

SPAM CONTINUES ITS LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STATE SENATOR SCOTT BROWN IN ENDORSING HIM FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

BOSTON — Martha Coakley may be the state’s attorney general, but her Senate rival is vying to match her law-and-order credentials.

Republican Scott Brown was scheduled Monday to receive the endorsement of the [...]]]> By Associated Press
Monday, January 11, 2010

SPAM CONTINUES ITS LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STATE SENATOR SCOTT BROWN IN ENDORSING HIM FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

BOSTON — Martha Coakley may be the state’s attorney general, but her Senate rival is vying to match her law-and-order credentials.

Republican Scott Brown was scheduled Monday to receive the endorsement of the State Police Association of Massachusetts.

It represents rank-and-file troopers…

Read more at the Boston Herald…

…and an editorial here