Stoneham – Yesterday, members of the Bucci Family joined Governor Maura Healey, Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy, Colonel John Mawn, Healey-Driscoll Administration Officials, members of the Massachusetts State Police, and the local community to dedicate the Trooper Tamar A. Bucci Memorial Bridge on Forest Street in Stoneham. Overlooking Interstate 93, the bridge commemorates the sacrifice of Trooper Bucci who was killed in the line of duty while assisting a disabled motorist on March 4, 2022. The ceremony included performances by the State Police Honor Guard, Pipes & Drums as well as tributes by the Colonel, the Governor, state officials and Tamar’s mother and father.
In his remarks, Colonel Mawn described how Tamar exemplified the values of the State Police by the way she lived her life – both before and during her career in law enforcement. He explained how Tamar, like every member of the Massachusetts State Police, pursued a career in law enforcement with a singular focus of helping others. He said, “Trooper Bucci responded selflessly [on the day of her death] and in doing so gave the full measure of sacrifice in the performance of her duty.”
Together with the Governor, members of the Bucci family unveiled a facsimile of the commemorative signs that mark the bridge’s new name. In addition to the Colonel, the Governor spoke as well as Representative Michael Day and Senator Jason Lewis who represent the Town of Stoneham and advanced legislation to the Governor’s desk that made the dedication possible.
Trooper Tamar Bucci was killed in the line of duty on March 4, 2022. Shortly before midnight, a tractor-trailer carrying a full load of 10,000 gallons of gasoline struck Bucci’s cruiser on Route 93 northbound in Stoneham as she attempted to pull over to assist a disabled motorist. The force of the impact pushed her cruiser, a marked Ford Interceptor SUV with its emergency blue lights activated, off the road.
Despite the courageous response of civilians to extricate Bucci in the moments after the crash, a Stoneham police officer to render CPR, medical professionals to provide emergency transport and critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital, Trooper Bucci succumbed to her injuries.
Trooper Bucci graduated the State Police Academy at Gillette Stadium on May 6, 2020 as a member of the 85th Recruit Training Troop. She completed 21 months of service at the Brookfield Barracks and transferred to the Medford Barracks just 1 month prior to the fatal crash.
Before joining the Massachusetts State Police, Bucci worked at Encore Casino in the security department and as a personal trainer. She graduated from 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.
In addition to the Bucci Family, the Governor, and the Secretary, the Massachusetts State Police would like to thank MassDOT, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Town of Stoneham, and the Gates Condominium Complex for all of their work to make the dedication successful.
