Route 495 Overpass Dedicated to Fallen State Policeman

The bridge over Route 95 on Route 495 was dedicated to Massachusetts State Police Trooper Doug Weddleton on Tuesday at a ceremony in Foxborough. More than 50 state troopers, along with family and friends, came to the ceremony to remember the trooper’s life and dedication.

“Like no other organization I know, the Massachusetts State Police are a family,” said MSP Colonel Marian McGovern. “We are here today to honor a member of that family. One who was taken from us far, far too soon. I would give anything to not to be here today, because the tradegy that took Sgt. Doug Weddleton away from us should never have happened. But sadly, we are here… Sgt. Weddleton was a hero, he lived as a hero and he certainly died as a hero.”

Weddleton was killed in June of 2010. He had initially stopped a suspected drunk driver near a constriction zone on Route 95 in Mansfield when another drunk driver struck him.

Weddleton was survived wife Judy Weddleton and four sons.

Weddleton has since been added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. last year. He also had a Massachusetts State Police breath alcohol testing mobile dedicated to him as well.

Weddleton served on the MSP for 28 years before his untimely death. Many of his fellow troopers, who graduated and served with him, were present at the ceremony.

“All classmates who share a special bond with Doug,” said Major Anthony Thomas, commander of MSP Troop D. “I remember well that guy, Weddleton, from Brockton. He arrived on day one in great shape. I quickly learned he could do pull-ups, a lot of pull-ups.”

Weddleton served in Troop D, then moved on to a firearms identification section for 15 years. He then served as a patrol supervisor at the MSP barracks in Foxborough.

“Sgt. Weddleton was a consummate professional,” Thomas said. “He took his job seriously, and strived to be the best in all that he did. Whether it was closely examining a weapon involved in a shooting or backing up a fellow trooper on a stop.”

Senators Richard Ross, Thomas Kennedy and James Timilty, State Representative Jay Barrows and Secretary Mary Heffernan also attended the dedication. They helped in passing legislation to dedicate the bridge to Weddleton, and paid their respects at the ceremony.

You can still see small memorial at that overpass, nearly always adorned with a state trooper cap, to remember the fallen trooper.