Uxbridge police officer Stephen LaPorta killed while helping driver on Route 146 in Massachusetts
Uxbridge, Massachusetts police officer Stephen LaPorta died early Wednesday morning when a tractor-trailer hit him while he was helping a motorist on Route 146, investigators say.
LaPorta was on duty helping another driver on the northbound side of the highway at 12:40 a.m. when the crash happened.
Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early said LaPorta was outside of his cruiser helping the motorist when he was hit by the tractor-trailer.
The motorist involved in the initial crash was not hurt. The tractor-trailer driver was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Uxbridge Police via Facebook
Police said LaPorta died at the scene. LaPorta was 43 years old and lived in Uxbridge.
“Despite lifesaving efforts by emergency responders, the officer succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision,” Uxbridge Police said in a statement.
“An ice rink up here”
There’s no word yet on what caused the crash or how many vehicles were involved, but roads across Massachusetts were icy due to freezing rain overnight. An officer was heard on police scanner audio shortly before the crash saying it was “an ice rink up here.”
Eleven minutes later, an officer said “He’s down” and “We need to shut down traffic.”
“This is a devastating loss for our department and our community,” Uxbridge Police Chief Marc Montminy said of Officer LaPorta’s death. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Uxbridge police officer Stephen LaPorta
Officer LaPorta worked in Mendon for 17 years before joining the Uxbridge Police in 2024.
“In June of 2024 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time police officer. He leaves behind a wife and 13-year-old child. This heart-breaking incident reminds us of the risks that law-enforcement officers take every day,” Montminy said. “Officer LaPorta gave his life in service to this community, a sacrifice that we will never forget. In our eyes he is a hero. This is a devastating loss to our department and our community.”
Mendon Police
Uxbridge Police posted on Facebook about LaPorta at the time he became a full-time officer. “He has put in the work to switch his role up and come to the patrol side full time!” police said in the post from June 19, 2024.
Before joining Uxbridge Police, LaPorta worked in Mendon for 17 years as a full-time dispatcher and detail officer. During a moment of silence at the Mendon Select Board meeting Wednesday night, Police Chief David Kurczy remembered LaPorta as a “dedicated public servant” and “a genuinely good person.”
Counseling is being made available to officers and other members of the Uxbridge Police Department. Black bunting was hung outside the Uxbridge police station late Wednesday morning and a flag was lowered to half-staff to honor the officer. Police departments from across Massachusetts offered condolences on the Uxbridge Police Facebook page.
CBS Boston
Route 146 north at exit 6 was closed through the morning commute, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
More than five hours after the crash, there was a solemn procession off of Route 146 led by Massachusetts State Police, followed by the medical examiner and fellow police officers.
CBS Boston
No other information is available at this point in the investigation.
Any witnesses with information are asked to contact District Attorney Early’s office.
Uxbridge is about 45 miles southwest of Boston and 25 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island.
“He loved his family. He loved his town”
State Rep. Michael Soter said he knew LaPorta. He choked up as he remembered what he meant to the town.
“He was a gentleman, he was respectful. Family man. He loved his family. He loved his town. The people of Uxbridge and the outpouring that’s happened has been absolutely amazing. The tough part now the family, we’ve got to wrap our arms around the family, the police department, the town officials, everybody in this town. We’ve got to support them.”
On Wednesday people stopped by the Uxbridge Police Department to drop off food and coffee. Solines Campbell was one of them.
“I’ve been a wife of a police officer for 19+ years. It’s one of those things you try not think about. When it happens, you kind of just pour your heart out to whoever you can and do what you can to help the community and the family,” she said.
Flags at half-staff
Gov. Maura Healey has ordered flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of LaPorta.
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
More from CBS News
