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The casket of State Police Trooper Kevin Trainor is walked out of St. James Church in Salem before heading to a ceremony site up the street. (Spenser Hasak) Purchase this photo

A hero laid to rest

Officials offer a final goodbye to State Trooper Kevin Trainor

Elizabeth Della Piana

by

SALEM — Massachusetts State Troopers, family, friends, loved ones, and law enforcement across the Commonwealth and beyond stood in solemn silence Wednesday morning as Trooper Kevin Trainor’s casket was carried into St. James Church in Salem.

Trainor, 30, who was killed in the line of duty on May 6 after heroically stopping a wrong-way driver on Route 1 in Lynnfield with his own cruiser, was just in his third year as a Massachusetts State Trooper. Despite this short time, fellow troopers say Trainor made an unforgettable impact.

Trainor was born in Beverley, but grew up in Salem, where he attended Salem State and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. To honor Trainor, his badge number, 5179, was retired and will never be worn again in the department.

The funeral began with remarks from Gov. Maura Healey, who was there along with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and other state officials.

“Today we lay to rest a hero of our state. Someone who embodied our highest ideals: courage and character, strength and selflessness. And he lived them every day of his life,” Healey said.

She spoke directly to the family, especially Trainor’s mother, Barbara Trainor, whose husband, David Trainor Jr., died earlier this year.

“Barbara, you and David raised a beautiful family. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to go. Kevin was supposed to be there celebrating Mother’s Day with you for the rest of your years,” she said. “But in this sanctuary this morning, I want you to know, Barbara, that you did everything right. You raised a hero.”

Healey offered her condolences to the troopers and other members of law enforcement gathered, as well as to Trainor’s fiancée, Jessica Ostrowski, Barbara Trainor, and his siblings, David, Stephen, Melissa, and Matthew.

“Three years ago, I was honored to administer his oath at the academy graduation. Today we honor his extraordinary life and the way he fulfilled that oath,” she said. “Trooper Trainor laid down his life so that others could live there. He did that not by chance, but by choice.”

Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Nobel was next to speak, remembering Trainor’s time with the department and everything he accomplished.

“This morning as we gather to honor the extraordinary bravery and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper Kevin Trainor, I want to start by expressing on behalf of this department, our deep appreciation and gratitude for this amazing and remarkable display of support that we have received in the wake of this immeasurable tragedy,” Nobel said.

Nobel told the family that, in the difficult moments, he hopes they hear and feel the collective voices of everyone gathered that day and those there in spirit.

“Every single one of us here today stands as one. We stand together, shoulder-to-shoulder, regardless of the color of our uniform or the patch on our shoulder or the ranks on our sleeves… We are united in strength and resolve. We stand as one today with you, Kevin’s family,” he said.

Nobel stated that, when speaking with Trainor’s fellow troopers, he heard many stories, and the word “enthusiastic” was used repeatedly.

“And I know, and every first responder and public servant who ever worked as a team, knows what that means. That enthusiasm is contagious. It just takes one on your line, on your squad, at your barracks to bring that enthusiasm to work every day, and it’s infectious and contagious,” he said.

Nobel said that Trainor was a leader in his troop for his OUI enforcement and had a passion for keeping the roadways safe.

“In his far too short time with us, he earned an exceptional reputation. He was and will always be the epitome of a police officer, a state trooper,” he said.

Nobel ended his speech thanking Trainor for his service.

“Your shift is complete. Rest in eternal peace, trooper. Your brothers and sisters have the watch,” he said.

The last to speak before Pastor Robert Murray began the service was Maine State Police Trooper Anthony Angelesco, who graduated the academy for the Sheriff’s Department with Trainor and became one of his best friends.

“Kevin was always a hard worker and loved to help others as much as he could. During our first academy together, Kevin received the Class Banner Award. This award is described as follows: elected by their peers to the class member who continuously demonstrated and encouraged others to demonstrate the highest level of motivation and dedication toward all areas of training,” Angelesco said.

The pair would both receive letters from the Massachusetts State Police to join the academy for the 88th Recruit Training Troop, where they were assigned to the same platoon and, after graduating, to the same barracks in Danvers. They’d also be given the same shift.

“It made me so happy knowing that I got to be working so close to my best friend,” he said.

Pastor Murray recognized Trainor’s service and that he had given his life for others.

“Here’s a man who was willing to drive and intercept someone who was driving the wrong way in order to save those around him. Who did in fact lay down his life for others,” he said.

At the end of the service, troopers filed out of the church, and Trainor’s casket was brought to the hearse and slowly departed to Flint Street, where the services would be completed before a private burial.

As Trainor’s casket was removed from the hearse for the completion of the ceremony, seven members of the Massachusetts State Police gave a three-volley salute before taps was played on the bugle and the flag removed from his casket to be presented to his mother. Trainor’s fiancée was also given a flag, and his siblings were given covers, the hats troopers wear.

A riderless horse was then brought out with boots facing backward in the stirrups, signifying Trainor looking back on those he served.

Finally, before his casket was returned to the hearse, Trainor was given his last call.

A dispatcher radioed, “Station A to Cruiser 2027, Trooper Kevin Trainor,” three times before stating, “Station A, Cruiser 2027 is code 4. Trooper Kevin Trainor, rest in peace.”

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