Massachusetts

Community Says Final Goodbye to Fallen Somerville Police Officer

What to Know

  • Somerville Officer Louis Remigio, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, will be laid to rest on Friday.
  • Remigio, 55, died Monday from injuries sustained in a crash over the weekend on Interstate 95 in New Hampshire.
  • Michael Ricci, 18, of Burlington, Massachusetts, has been charged with felony reckless conduct in connection with the accident.

Family, friends and colleagues said their final goodbyes to a Somerville, Massachusetts police officer who died of injuries suffered in a crash last weekend.

Officer Louis Remigio's funeral mass was held Friday at St. Clements Church in Medford. The 55-year-old Tewksbury resident died late Monday night at Portsmouth Regional Hospital from injuries sustained in a crash on Interstate 95 in Hampton, New Hampshire on Sunday.

Family members said Friday that one of Remigio's greatest gifts was to be in the moment.

"We all felt so wonderful in his presence because when he spoke with you, you had him," said Dan Remigio, his cousin. "He gave you all his attention. He made you feel so validated, so important. I think he did that for so many people in the community, and these people have come forward in the last couple days to tell us this."

"I don't know how I'm going to get over this," he added. "I don't know how any of us are going to get over this."

Hundreds of people, including police officers from multiple agencies, turned out Thursday at Doherty Funeral Home for Louis Remigio's wake.

At the funeral home Thursday, Remigio's motorcycle was parked — draped in purple bunting. A traditional police walk-by also took place.

The 30-year veteran of the Somerville Police Department is being remembered as a "first-class" human being and devoted father.

Lt. James Polito, one of Remigio's friends and colleagues in the Traffic Unit, read a statement Thursday on behalf of the late officer's two daughters, who stood by his side.

"Difficult and heartbreaking do little to describe the pain we the Remigio family are continuing to experience after the tragic death of our father and family member," the statement read. "He was humble, dedicated and authentic... He spoke with passion when describing his work, his interests, and his family. He had a big laugh, a bigger handshake, the largest of hugs, and positive energy that could lift anyone's spirits. Unfortunately, we no longer will experience that energy."

Remigio received multiple awards for service to the community, including two Life-Saving Awards, a Meritorious Service Award, a Beyond the Call of Duty Award, and numerous commendations by his colleagues and community members.

He was a member of the Law Keepers Motorcycle Club and coached kids in sports in both Tewksbury and Somerville.

Remigio was injured when his motorcycle was struck by a Mercedez-Benz driven by 18-year-old Michael Ricci of Burlington, Massachusetts on I-95 Sunday. Police said Ricci may have been racing other vehicles and veered from the northbound lanes into oncoming traffic. Ricci was not hurt.

Ricci, who appeared in Lowell Juvenile Court on a probation violation Wednesday, currently faces a felony reckless conduct charge, which is likely to be upgraded to a more serious charge. His driver's license has also been revoked.

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