Funeral services held for beloved Mass. State Police recruit who died after training exercise

WORCESTER, Mass. — The funeral for a Massachusetts State Police recruit who died after a training exercise earlier in September was held on Saturday.

Enrique Delgado Garcia’s funeral was 10:30 a.m. at the Mercandante Funeral Home in Worcester. Massachusetts State Police said members of the 90th Recruit Training Troop, which Delgado Garcia was a part of, are expected to surround the funeral home.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the funeral home in Worcester and some of his friends say hr’' be remembered for his smile.

Delgado-Garcia passed away after suffering broken bones, damaged or missing teeth, and a spinal injury during defensive training in a boxing ring at the academy, sources told 25 Investigates.

Massachusetts State Police Col. John Mawn asked the State Police Division of Standards and Training to “comprehensively investigate” the academy’s defensive tactics program after Delgado-Garcia’s death.

On Monday, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced that longtime trial attorney David Meier will lead an independent investigation into Delgado-Garcia’s death.

“Enrique was a joy and he was the best hugger,” said Mary Hart.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early decided last week that an independent agency must lead the investigation into Delgado-Garcia’s death because he worked as a victim advocate in Early’s office before transitioning down a law enforcement path with the state police.

“Because of this close relationship, someone else will be handling this matter,” Early said last week. “There is no way this office can handle this. Everyone loved Enrique.”

Campbell noted that the Massachusetts State Police will have no role in Meier’s investigative team or decision-making process.

“He wanted to make a difference genuinely he wanted to make a difference,” said Caroline Root of Worcester.

Delgado-Garcia was sworn in as a trooper in his final hours.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group