A Massachusetts police officer was killed overnight after a tractor-trailer struck him while he was assisting a motorist on the side of a highway, officials said.
Authorities identified the officer as Stephen LaPorta, 43, who served with the Uxbridge Police Department. He is survived by his wife and a 13-year-old child.
Uxbridge officials said LaPorta was on duty and helping a driver around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, when the crash occurred, according to NBC affiliate WBTS-CD and ABC affiliate WCVB. The Boston Globe described the road conditions at the time as dangerously icy.
Despite life-saving efforts by medical personnel, LaPorta was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver LaPorta had been assisting was not injured, while the tractor-trailer driver was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, the Globe reported.
After the crash, police escorted LaPorta’s body from the scene in a procession of patrol vehicles.
LaPorta joined the Uxbridge Police Department as a full-time officer in 2024, after previously working as a full-time dispatcher and taking part-time patrol shifts, the department said in a Facebook post.
“There are no words. A Wife lost a Husband. A Son lost his Dad. A Community Lost their Police Officer. We Lost our Friend,” the department wrote in a tribute. “We are Heartbroken beyond measure.”
In a separate statement, Gov. Maura Healey said her thoughts were with LaPorta’s family and colleagues.
“I am heartbroken over the news of Officer Stephen LaPorta’s passing. He knew he was headed into a dangerous situation when he responded to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash, but like all of our officers do day in and day out, he put the public’s safety first – and he tragically made the ultimate sacrifice,” Healey wrote. She also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in his honor.
“I ask Massachusetts residents to take a moment today to reflect on the bravery of Officer LaPorta and thank members of law enforcement for all that they do to keep us safe,” she added.
An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
