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Mass. police captain killed in crash
By David Abel
Boston Globe
BRADFORD, Mass. — They came from as far as California and Oregon to pay their respects. Hundreds of police officers from around the state, the region, and beyond stood today in silent salute to mourn the death of State Police Captain Richard J. Cashin, the highest ranking state police officer to die in the line of duty.
In an elaborate ceremony that included an honor guard playing “Ode to Joy” on bagpipes, scores of troopers escorted Cashin’s family into Sacred Hearts Church. The service was attended by Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and other state officials.
“I’ll always remember my dad as a great cop and a number one dad,” said Thomas Cashin, one of his two sons.
Cashin died early Wednesday morning when his cruiser crashed into a utility pole on Route 1 in Saugus. State Police officials have yet to determine the cause of the crash, but they said that it was possible that he was responding to the report of a suspected drunk driver on Route 99.
During the service, relatives described Cashin as “a strong shoulder to lean on,” and a father, brother, and uncle constantly pushing them to do better.
“He helped everyone he could,” said Katie Cashin, one of his two daughters. “He always told me that all he wanted was for me to be happy.”
His other daughter, Julie Cashin, added: “He was the best. He was an angel.”
Cashin’s older brother, Thomas Cashin, said the trooper always wanted to be a police officer.
“He was the little people’s champion,” his brother said.
After the service, troopers fired a 21-gun salute. A state police helicopter flew low overhead, and then troopers made a last radio call paging Cashin as part of a tradition honoring fallen state troopers.
Copyright 2009 Boston Globe