Thousands Honor Fallen Massachusetts State Trooper Tamar Bucci At Funeral In Revere
REVERE (CBS) - About 2,000 law enforcement officers came to Revere Wednesday to join family and friends as they paid their final respects to fallen Massachusetts State Trooper Tamar Bucci at her funeral.
Bucci was killed March 4, when a tanker truck slammed into her cruiser on Interstate 93 in Stoneham as she stopped in the breakdown lane to help a driver. She was 34 years old.
"It was obvious that a stellar career marked by achievement, increasing levels of responsibility and rank awaited her," State Police Lt. Col. Christopher Mason said.
A massive display of uniformed officers saluted as Trooper Bucci's casket was escorted from the hearse into Saint Anthony's Church.
"It's not easy to lose a colleague, a friend, it's been tough for us," said Patrick McNamara, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts.
"We do this job and put our boots and uniforms on every day to help the public and are ready for anything," said Rhode Island State Police Trooper Amanda King.
"You know going into the profession, applying to every department, putting on the badge every day you might face something and not come home at night," said Portsmouth, RI Police Officer Annmarie Stewart.
The six pallbearers were all female troopers who were classmates of Bucci's during training. They are the first all-female pallbearer contingent for an MSP line of duty funeral service, the department said.
At the end of the funeral Mass, Bucci's stepfather, Jim Burditt, said she would have appreciated that.
"She's looking down, feeling proud, and smiling at each and every one of you. I also know she's probably saying, 'It's about time you ladies carry me.'" Burditt told the packed church.
After the Mass, a riderless horse passed the church, keeping with tradition at police funerals. A pair of backwards-facing boots were also in the stirrups, representing a fallen officer looking back at her colleagues for a final time.
A radio transmission was then broadcast, saying "cruiser 1832, Trooper Bucci, rest in peace," officially signaling her end of watch. The burial service was private.
"I think they're just going to miss her demeanor, her good will," Lt. Col. Mason, told reporters before the funeral.
"She was just really a decent, good person. Somebody you would want to have as a co-worker, somebody you would want to represent your agency, and somebody you would want to serve the public. She really was a trooper for the times that we are in now. So that is what makes this such a great loss for the Massachusetts State Police, and of course the Bucci family."
Read: Funeral Mass Book
"It's been a difficult week. It certainly highlights for the troopers the dangers of the job and it also has a ripple effect. The loved ones that stay at home that bear that burden of worry while we're on patrol, it impacts them greatly," Mason said.
Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey were among those attending the Mass Wednesday.
Photos: Funeral For Trooper Tamar Bucci
About 1,200 law enforcement officers came to pay their respects at Trooper Bucci's wake Tuesday afternoon.
There was no school in Revere Wednesday due to the funeral. Several roads were closed around the church on Revere Street for the procession before and after the Mass.
Bucci became a trooper in May 2020. She was the 22nd Massachusetts State Trooper to die in the line of duty.