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

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.

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.

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

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/letters/view.bg?articleid=1225490