State Police Sergeant Douglas Weddleton Added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

The name of Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Douglas A. Weddleton, who last year gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., this weekend. A series of events, including a Candlelight Vigil to be held tonight and a Wreath Laying on Sunday, will solemnly commemorate the addition of the names of Sergeant Weddleton and 315 other officers killed in the line of duty.

Sergeant Weddleton’s End-of-Watch came in the early morning hours of June 18, 2010, as he worked a detail protecting a road construction crew on Route 95 in Mansfield. Sergeant Weddleton had pulled over one drunk driver who was trying to drive through the set-up, and was out of his cruiser, when another impaired driver struck and killed him. At the time of his death, Sergeant Weddleton was assigned to the State Police Barracks in Foxboro. Prior to that, he had served for many years in the Department’s Ballistics Unit.

Attending the ceremonies are Weddleton family members, State Police colleagues and members of the State Police Command Staff, including Colonel Marian J. McGovern, superintendent of Department; Lieutenant Colonel Stephen G. Matthews, deputy superintendent of Department; and Lieutenant Colonel Timothy P. Alben, commander of the Field Services Division. Also participating are the State Police Drill and Ceremonial Unit and the State Police Pipes and Drums.

Sergeant Weddleton was the 31st member of the Massachusetts State Police killed in the line of duty. The first line of duty death occurred in 1909.

 This year marks the second consecutive year in which a member of the Massachusetts State Police has been added to the Memorial. Last May, the name of Captain Richard J. Cashin was added. Captain Cashin died in January 2009 when his cruiser crashed while he was traveling on Route 1 in Saugus in search of an erratic driver.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.