“Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant David Palmer will be departing from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, as a member of the Police Unity Tour. The Police Unity Tour is a four-day bicycle ride to Washington, DC, to raise public awareness and support the legacy of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Since 1997, the event has grown to include nearly 2,600 members nationwide who make the trip annually. Participants include riders, motorcycles, and support personnel. Through fundraising and physical training, riders know that their efforts raise awareness of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many law enforcement officers.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

The last leg of the tour ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, where the participants present remembrance bracelets worn on their wrists throughout the journey to the families of the fallen. Lieutenant Palmer has made the arduous trip for the last nine years, riding in memory of a fallen officer in years past. Lieutenant Palmer’s ride might not be possible if it was not for his dedicated support team, including Lisa Palmer and MSP Lieutenant Matt Covino. This year Lieutenant Palmer will be making the trip in memory of MSP Trooper Tamar Bucci and MSP K9 Frankie.

On Thursday, May 11, Frankie will be added to the National K9 Memorial, part of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial in the nation’s capital. The K9 Memorial recognizes and honors police dogs killed in the line of duty. Frankie, who was assigned to the MSP Special Tactical Operations Team with his handler, Sergeant David Stucenski, was fatally shot by an armed fugitive with a history of violence whom he was trying to apprehend last July in Fitchburg.

Trooper Bucci will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial on Monday, May 15. She was killed in March 2022 when her cruiser was struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 93 in Stoneham as she attempted to pull over to offer help to a stopped motorist. She was 34.

Since its founding, the Police Unity Tour has raised more than $33 million for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

“The water was freezing, but the smiles on the faces of the kids at Special Olympics of Massachusetts melted our hearts earlier this month when the MSP took part in this year’s Polar Plunge.

All told, some 80 Polar Plungers from various walks of life jumped into the icy pool at the group’s Marlborough headquarters to support the organization’s outstanding mission. Among them was Troop C Community Liaison Officer Trooper Farrah Gray, who organized MSP’s participation and was cheered on by her Troop Commander, Major David Gallagher, and other members of the Troop C Community Action Team.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

The MSP is especially grateful to the Special Olympics of Massachusetts and its Assistant Vice President of Development, Fundraising, and Partner Engagement, Stephanie Esposito, for observing a moment of silence at the start of the event in memory of Trooper Tamar Bucci, who was killed in the line of duty three days prior to the event.

Trooper Bucci’s desire to make a positive change by serving others is an ideal that we embrace in all our community outreach efforts. We look forward to continuing to support the Special Olympics of Massachusetts and their mission of providing enrichment through sports and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

“Massachusetts State Police Trooper Tamar Bucci was killed in the line of duty last night when her cruiser was struck by a gasoline tanker as she attempted to pull over to assist a disabled motorist. Trooper Bucci, who was assigned to the Medford Barracks, was 34. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. This morning, Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, gave the following remarks in a media briefing announcing Trooper Bucci’s death.

It is with great sadness that I announce the line of duty death of Massachusetts State Police Trooper Tamar Bucci, who gave the ultimate sacrifice shortly before midnight when her cruiser was struck by a tractor-trailer on Route 93 Northbound in Stoneham.

Trooper Bucci’s cruiser was struck by the truck, a tanker carrying a fill load of 10,000 gallons of gasoline, as she attempted to pull to the side of the road to assist a disabled motorist at approximately 11:45 p.m. The force of the impact pushed her cruiser, a marked Ford Interceptor SUV with its emergency blue lights activated, off the road.

Two civilian Good Samaritans pulled Trooper Bucci from the heavily damaged cruiser and a Stoneham Police Officer who came upon the scene performed emergency first aid, including CPR, until EMS arrived and transported her to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Despite the heroic efforts of the civilians, the Stoneham Officer, the Armstrong ambulance crew, and the emergency room staff at MGH, Trooper Bucci was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The Department is devasted by her loss. We are eternally grateful for the attempts of everyone involved to assist Trooper Bucci and to save her life.

Trooper Bucci was 34 years old and was assigned to this barracks, State Police-Medford, since last month. Prior to that, she was assigned to the Brookfield Barracks after graduating as a member of the 85th Recruit Training Troop on May 6, 2020.

Before joining the Massachusetts State Police, Trooper Bucci was employed by the security department at Encore Casino and also worked as a personal trainer. She was a graduate of Middlesex Community College and Andover High School.

She is survived by her mother and her father, two sisters, a step-sister, and a step-brother. She is also survived by her other family, the 2,000-plus men and women of the Massachusetts State Police, many of whom came to MGH overnight to grieve and support one another as word of her passing spread.

The driver of the truck, a Methuen man, was not injured. He has been cooperative and was interviewed by Troopers earlier this morning. The truck is owned by the PJ Murphy company. The investigation into the crash is ongoing and is being conducted by Troop A along with the MSP’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, and State Police Detective Unit for Middlesex County. At this time, there are no charges.

The woman who was in the disabled motor vehicle that Trooper Bucci was trying to help was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

Late last night, on a stretch of road that she protected every night during the midnight shift, Trooper Bucci gave her life in the act of trying to help another person in distress. There is no greater act of sacrifice than to give one’s life for another. She is the 22d member of the Massachusetts State Police to die in the line of duty. Her death is a reminder of the dangers that Troopers and all police officers face on a daily basis to protect society.

We are heartbroken by this tragedy, and resolve to continue our mission to protect and serve by following the example set by Trooper Bucci in her brief MSP career and her life that was cut short far too soon. The tremendous outpouring of support shown by Troopers and local officers at the hospital is testimony to the respect and admiration that Trooper Bucci earned within her chosen field in less than two years wearing the badge.

Her selfless act embodies the mission of the State Police to help those in need, a mission that we carry on in her memory.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.