UXBRIDGE, Mass. (WJAR) — Community members were seen placing flowers Wednesday on a cruiser parked outside of the Uxbridge Police Department after they lost one of their own.
Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta was killed in the line of duty just before 1 a.m.
Authorities said he was responding to a crash on Route 146 north, just before exit 6, when he was struck by a passing tractor-trailer.
Police said LaPorta was outside of his vehicle. He died at the scene.
The person the officer was helping when he responded was not hurt.
LaPorta was 43 years old. He leaves behind his wife and 13-year-old child.
“June of 2024, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time police officer,” said Uxbridge Police Chief Marc Montminy.
“He worked hard for it, this was a dream of his,” said state Rep. Mike Soter, who represents Uxbridge and knew LaPorta.
“I remember when he first came on board, he was a dispatcher, started in Mendon, came over here, and they worked with him,” Soter said. “I think he’s just salt to the earth,” he said.
A procession of police cruisers escorted LaPorta’s body from the scene hours after the crash.
Black bunting was hung around the department, and flowers were placed on a cruiser parked outside of the station.
“He was a gentleman, he was respectful, family man, he loved his family, he loved this town,” said Soter.
Soter said the town common in Uxbridge will be wrapped in blue ribbon by Thursday.
“This town is going to rally around this family,” he said.
The community, and those who have family members who are police officers, have already been stopping by the department to show support.
“I’ve been a wife of a police officer for 19-plus years. It’s one of those things you try not think about and when it happens, you kind of just pour your heart out to whoever you can and do what you can to help the community,” said Solines Campbell, who dropped off coffee and pastries for the police officers and staff.
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