Current:Home > ScamsState police recruit’s death in Massachusetts overshadows graduation ceremony-InfoLens
State police recruit’s death in Massachusetts overshadows graduation ceremony
View Date:2024-12-23 10:42:00
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Holding signs demanding truth and chanting for justice, several dozen people gathered Wednesday outside a graduation ceremony for Massachusetts State Police cadets demanding an explanation of how one of the recruits died during a training exercise.
Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, died at a hospital on Sept. 13 a day after becoming unresponsive during a defensive tactics exercise in a boxing ring and suffering a “medical crisis,” authorities have said. The state attorney general has since named an attorney to lead an outside investigation into the death of Delgado-Garcia, whose funeral was held Saturday.
Delgado-Garcia’s mother and others have said they want answers and accountability from the investigation, and she has raised questions about whether the training exercise was unnecessarily violent. She was not at the protest but some of Delgado-Garcia’s friends and other relatives had similar questions.
“We are looking for justice, answers,” said Jennifer Verges, who was among several protesters holding a banner with a photo of Delgado-Garcia. “Why is he not here graduating with the rest? We’re here mourning his death.”
Luis Canario, a cousin who was holding a poster honoring Delgado-Garcia and wearing a T-shirt with his image, said he found it hard to believe that Delgado-Garcia could have died from a boxing accident. He was among several people who said the graduation should have been postponed.
“We don’t feel like this was right that he doesn’t get to graduate when everyone else is graduating,” he said. “It’s not fair that, with an open investigation going on, they are still graduating people but one of their own that they call their brother is not here.”
The protest happened against a backdrop of calls for accountability that have spread beyond Delgado-Garcia’s family. The Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston and Lawyers for Civil Rights in Boston have both issued public statements calling for transparency about the investigation into Delgado-Garcia’s death.
The state must “immediately suspend anyone potentially involved and responsible for the fatal boxing match to ensure the safety and well-being of the remaining cadets in the Massachusetts State Police Academy,” in addition to making other safety and accountability improvements, Lawyers for Civil Rights said in its statement.
Delgado-Garcia’s death overshadowed what should have been a celebration for the 185 troopers at a Worcester auditorium. There was a moment of silence honoring Delgado-Garcia during the ceremony and recruits wore shrouded badges.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and newly appointed Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble all referenced his name in their remarks to graduates. They expressed condolences to his family and acknowledged the challenges the death has brought to his fellow recruits.
“Today’s celebration carries a great weight. You lost a recruit,” Healey told the crowd.
“Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia answered the call. He took the assignment. He along with all of you was drawn to serve. Trooper Delgado-Garcia was and is a special person, determined to not only to uphold the law but to uplift his community,” Healey said. “To members of Enrique’s family, friends and the Worcester community here today and watching, we continue to grieve with you and pray with you.”
Delgado-Garcia, of Worcester, died after the boxing ring exercise took place at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree, a little more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) west of Boston. Massachusetts State Police has said it has suspended full-contact boxing training activities among recruits in the wake of Delgado-Garcia’s death.
Delgado-Garcia was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and moved to Worcester at a young age, according to an obituary on the website of the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel in Worcester. He earned an undergraduate degree from Westfield State University in Massachusetts before starting his career as a victim’s advocate in the Worcester district attorney’s office, the obituary said.
“He never had a bad bone in his body,” Canario said. “He was a stand up dude. He liked to enjoy his life but also liked to help people at the same time. He was always motivated to do better. ... He was going after this dream and this happened.”
veryGood! (44931)
Related
- Deommodore Lenoir contract details: 49ers ink DB to $92 million extension
- Yes, voter fraud happens. But it’s rare and election offices have safeguards to catch it
- You Might've Missed How Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Channeled Britney Spears for NFL Game
- Education Pioneer Wealth Society: Empowering the Future, Together with Education Pioneers
- Relive Pregnant Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's Achingly Beautiful Romance
- Lawsuit seeks to reopen voter registration in Georgia after Hurricane Helene
- 16 Life-Changing Products on Sale this October Prime Day 2024 You Never Knew You Needed—Starting at $4
- Mets vs. Phillies live updates: NLDS Game 3 time, pitchers, MLB playoffs TV channel
- Amazon Prime Video to stream Diamond Sports' regional networks
- In final rule, EPA requires removal of all US lead pipes in a decade
Ranking
- Disney Store's Black Friday Sale Just Started: Save an Extra 20% When You Shop Early
- Boxer Ryan Garcia gets vandalism charge dismissed and lecture from judge
- These October Prime Day Deals 2024 Have Prices Better Than Black Friday & Are up to 90% Off
- Yes, voter fraud happens. But it’s rare and election offices have safeguards to catch it
- Hurricane forecasters on alert: November storm could head for Florida
- The Deepest Discounts From Amazon's October Prime Day 2024 - Beauty, Fashion, Tech & More up to 85% Off
- Education Pioneer Wealth Society: Heartfelt Education Pioneer, Empowering with Wealth
- TikToker Taylor Rousseau Grigg Shared Heartbreaking Birthday Message One Month Before Her Death
Recommendation
-
Ben Foster Files for Divorce From Laura Prepon After 6 Years of Marriage
-
Education Pioneer Wealth Society: Your Partner in Wealth Growth
-
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe's Daughter Ava Phillippe Reveals How to Pronounce Her Last Name
-
Charge against TikTok personality upgraded in the killing of a Louisiana therapist
-
Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
-
Hurricane Milton grows 'explosively' stronger, reaches Category 5 status | The Excerpt
-
30% Off Color Wow Hair Products for Amazon Prime Day 2024: Best Deals Guide
-
How much income does it take to crack the top 1%? A lot depends on where you live.