By John R. Ellement and Andrew Ryan
Boston Globe
SAUGUS, Mass. — A State Police captain working as an overnight shift commander was killed early this morning when his unmarked car hit a utility pole on Route 1.
Captain Richard J. Cashin, 52, is believed to be among the highest ranking member of the State Police to ever die in the line of duty, said Colonel Mark F. Delaney, superintendent of the State Police. Cashin was overseeing command in Troop A, which stretches from Revere to the New Hampshire border and includes six barracks.
Cashin became police officer in 1980, joining Metropolitan District Commission, which merged with the State Police. He leaves a wife and four children -- two sons 9 and 13 years old, and two daughters 24 and 25. His death had not yet sunk in this morning to his State Police colleagues, who spoke about Cashin in both the present and past tense.
“I truly know him to be very honorable, honest, with huge character and very dedicated to his family,” said Major Daniel Grabowski, his immediate supervisor. “He was full of love for people, full of love for his job, and full of love for his family. This is a very sad day for the State Police, very sad.”
The single-car crash occurred at 1:45 a.m. near Essex Street, State Police said in a press release. Cashin was driving a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria north when the car veered off the road. The force of the crash snapped the utility pole in half.
Police did not say what caused the crash, which remains under investigation by a host of agencies, including the Essex district attorney’s office.
After daybreak, crews could be seen on Route 1 replacing the pole. The roadway was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while officials examined the crash and removed the wreckage.
COpyright 2009 Boston Globe