A police procession escorted the body of fallen Massachusetts State Police Trooper Thomas Clardy from Boston to a Hudson funeral home on Thursday afternoon.
Clardy was struck and killed on the Massachusetts Turnpike during a traffic stop on Wednesday.
Police began escorting his body from the Medical Examiner's Office in Boston to Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home at 2 p.m. The procession continued up I-90 to I-495, arriving around 3 p.m.
Police, Fire Line the Streets for Fallen Trooper
The investigation into Clardy's death is ongoing, and people who live in his Hudson neighborhood are grieving the loss of a friend, a loving husband and a father of six.
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"It's just really heartbreaking, to go out every day not knowing what's going to happen," said Stacey Hartford. "They risk their lives, even something as simple as a traffic stop."
"Just shocked," neighbor Cathy Scott said. "My heart goes out to his wife and his kids."
"They're just a great family," said Kelly Cabral, another neighbor. "You see them out moving around, walking the neighborhood, the little one in his little wheelie car."
“He used to sit on his steps outside and wave when I would walk by, walking my dogs," Scott added. "Just a really nice guy, really nice family."
Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker ordered the U.S. and Massachusetts flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Clardy.
Clardy’s brothers in blue continue to sit outside of his home, providing security and protection to his family.
Meanwhile, the driver in the crash, 30-year-old David Njuguna, was hospitalized with serious injuries and remains hospitalized. He will be summonsed into court to face criminal charges once he is released from the hospital. The RMV has revoked his license.
State police Col. Richard McKeon said Clardy was, known for his professionalism and dedication. "All who knew him have today borne witness to his outstanding character."
His neighbors say they're ready to lend a hand to the trooper’s widow and children.
"What we do around here, when there's a need, we all get together and do whatever we need to do," Cabral said. "Whatever Reise needs then we will go out and do what she needs - take care of the kids, get them to where they need, make meals, whatever it is that they need to do."
The Chick-fil-A in Framingham left a table empty in Clardy's honor, according to Natick Police.
Posted by Natick Police Department on Thursday, March 17, 2016
Clardy's funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Church in Hudson.
