The newest class of Massachusetts State Troopers graduated on Wednesday–without their classmate Enrique Delgado-Garcia.
WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) – The newest class of Massachusetts State Troopers graduated on Wednesday–without their classmate Enrique Delgado-Garcia.
Delgado-Garcia was a Westfield State University graduate who died following a boxing training exercise last month.
An independent investigation has begun to look into Delgado-Garcia’s death and provide recommendations to prevent this from happening again. Attorney General Andrea Campbell spoke to the graduates about the fallen recruit at the graduation ceremony.
“I know you too share in the grief and the mourning that Enrique’s family is feeling,” said Campbell. “I know you also feel the very same pain.” The Attorney General advised the graduates to celebrate their resilience alongside celebrating Delgado-Garcia’s life.
A western Massachusetts lawmaker, Representative Carlos Gonzalez, also spoke at the ceremony. He used his speaking time to tell the new graduates about the importance of their role in the state.
“You are not merely becoming officers of the law. You are becoming guardians of justice, champions of integrity, and the role models of future generations,” said Gonzalez.
The graduating class includes 166 men and 19 women, and about a third of the graduates are people of color. Outside the DCU Center, where the graduation ceremonies were held, dozens gathered to protest, calling for justice for Delgado-Garcia.
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