No serious injuries reported in an accident involving a state police cruiser and a Westfield State University police cruiser. Watch video
This is an updated version of a story posted at 2:20 this afternoon.
WESTFIELD – This community offered its final respects Tuesday to Badge No. 4 that began with funeral services attended by thousands of family, friends, colleagues and ended with a community sponsored community picnic.
The well-liked and well-respected Jose Torres, a 27 year police veteran decorated twice in his career for heroism died in the line of duty last Thursday.
More than 700 colleagues including state and local police from as far away as Vermont and Rhode Island and numerous Fire Departments served as honor guards along with Westfield’s American Legion Post 124 Honor Guard. Torres, 53, was an Army veteran.
“It’s a brotherhood and we are here to honor a brother officer,” said Stephen O’Brien, chief of police in Lenox.
Dignitaries attending services included Gov. Deval L. Patrick, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Ma., Springfield Catholic Diocese Bishop Timothy McDonnell, state police Chaplain William Hamilton, Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr., Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni, former Mayor Richard K. Sullivan and Westfield State University president Evan S. Dobelle.
The Rev. Brian McGrath, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, celebrated the funeral mass inside Dever Auditorium at Westfield State University were it was standing room only. The auditorium has seating for 500 and university officials provided another 500 seats at nearby Scanlon Hall where the mass was televised.
The mass was also broadcast live on the city’s Channel 15 community station by the university’s Television Operations Information Technology Department.
In her eulogy, wife Kara said “Jose was truly my best friend. We went together like peanut butter and jelly. He lived his life to the fullest and was the perfect husband, father, brother and he took great pride in being a Westfield Police Officer.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said Torres “had a big heart, a great smile and incredible heroism. His spirit forever will be on patrol on our streets.”
Childhood friend and fellow police officer Capt. Hipolito Nunez said Torres “only saw the good in everybody, he disliked conflict and he saw incidents as opportunities for people to find a better way of life.”
Also offering eulogy of Torres was supervising police Sgt. Alex Baginski who reminded everyone in attendance repeatedly during the service that “It was always a good day when you worked with Patrolman Jose Torres.”
Their description of Torres was echoed many others.
“To loose Jose, it’s like losing a brother. It’s really hard for us.” said David Luna who grew up with Torres on Orange Street and was at Court Square with daughters Janis and Jaslyn to pay his respects.
A number of mothers, interviewed by The Republican throughout Tuesday spoke of the positive impact that Torres had on their sons’ lives. “He was a great mentor to my three boys,” said a tearful Ellen Brosnan who offered her respects as the funeral procession passed Police Headquarters.
“He wasn’t just a police officer in this community, he was a friend,” she said.
Jayne M. Mulligan, former Westfield animal control officer and a funeral procession driver Tuesday, said “I never heard him complain or say anything bad about anybody. He was just an all-around good guy,” she said.
Sheriff Ashe said the funeral service “was very moving. I think the spirit of Jose was so present there.”
Graveside services for Torres at Pine Hill Cemetery were delayed due to an accident on Western Avenue involving a Westfield State University police cruiser and a state police trooper.
The accident injured three WSU officials, a university police officer and the state trooper. Names for the five, all transported to Noble Hospital for treatment, were not released by state police.
Reportedly WSU president Evan S. Dobelle was among those injured as he and others were being transported back to the university’s administrative offices following the funeral mass for Torres.
Late Tuesday, three of the injured had been treated and released and the trooper and university administrator remained at the hospital for evaluation.
The accident is being investigated by state police and Westfield State University police.
During graveside services, bagpipes played “Amazing Grace”, honor guards provided rifle salutes as a State Police helicopter hovered above.
At 2:44 p.m. a public address announcer offered a simulated police dispatch call declaring Officer Jose Torres ‘out of service’ and thanked him for his 27 years on the force.
Late Tuesday, the Sons of Erin Club on William Street was prepared to serve 5,000 mourners at a community sponsored picnic.
The facility, all foods and refreshments and entertainment were donated by various organizations, families and businesses both local and regional, said coordinators Daniel J. Puza, owner of North Elm Butcher Block and retired police Lt. William M. Adamczyk.
Sons of Erin president James Casey said “Jose enjoyed coming to the Sons of Erin especially for our 9/11 memorial tribute and to march in the Holyoke St. Patrick Parade.
“Our doors are always open to the Torres family,” said Casey.