> At a Glance
> – Stephen LaPorta, 43, was struck and killed while assisting a driver on an icy highway at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday
> – The Uxbridge officer leaves behind a wife and 13-year-old child
> – Governor Maura Healey ordered flags to half-staff in his honor
> – Why it matters: A community mourns an officer who put public safety first and paid the ultimate price
A late-night assist turned fatal when Stephen LaPorta, a 43-year-old Uxbridge police officer, was hit by a tractor-trailer on treacherously icy pavement early Wednesday.
The Crash
LaPorta had stopped to help a stranded driver along the highway when the tractor-trailer collided with him. Despite life-saving efforts by medical crews, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver he was aiding escaped injury; the truck driver sustained only minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
A Department in Mourning
Hired full-time in 2024 after years as a dispatcher and part-time patrol officer, LaPorta was well-known inside the department.
Uxbridge Police Department posted:
> “There are no words. A Wife lost a Husband. A Son lost his Dad. A Community Lost their Police Officer. We Lost our Friend. We are Heartbroken beyond measure.”
Following the crash, a procession of police cruisers escorted LaPorta’s body from the scene-a solemn tribute to a fallen colleague.
State Honors
Governor Maura Healey issued a statement praising the officer’s bravery:
> “He knew he was headed into a dangerous situation… but like all of our officers do day in and day out, he put the public’s safety first-and he tragically made the ultimate sacrifice.”
She ordered flags across Massachusetts flown at half-staff in LaPorta’s honor and urged residents to “take a moment today to reflect on the bravery of Officer LaPorta and thank members of law enforcement for all that they do to keep us safe.”
Key Takeaways
- Stephen LaPorta died shortly after midnight Wednesday while helping a motorist
- Icy road conditions contributed to the fatal collision
- He is survived by his wife and a 13-year-old child
- An investigation into the crash remains active
The Uxbridge community now faces the heartbreaking task of saying goodbye to an officer who answered every call for help-right up to his last.
