Trooper Vincent Cila

The State Police Association of Massachusetts

In memory of the Massachusetts State Police Officers who gave their lives in service to the Commonwealth

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July 22, 2005

Tpr. Vincent P. Cila was killed in the line of duty on July 22, 2005. He was stationed at SP Logan Airport at the time of his death and died following a motorcycle accident, while on patrol, as he exited the Ted Williams tunnel onto Rte. 93 in Boston.

Tpr Cila was a 22-year veteran of the State Police. He was born and raised in Malden, MA and lived in Wakefield, MA with his wife Cheryl and his two daughters, Samantha and Nicole. Over the course of his career, he was stationed at SP Topsfield, Andover and Medford, before being assigned at SP Logan Airport, Troop "F" in 2001.

Tpr Cila was a member of the 65th R.T.T. and graduated from the State Police Academy on May 7, 1983. His classmates described him as a "character", who was able to bring laughter and levity to 22 weeks of intense academy training. Away from work, Tpr. Cila was very active in his community. He enjoyed coaching his daughters in both basketball and softball. He was an avid boater and enjoyed boating with his family. On one notable occasion, while off duty, he pulled a distressed swimmer into his boat. Tpr Cila's other passions were cars, all things Italian and of course, motorcycles. While on duty, Tpr Cila was easy going and fair, but could easily and effectively adapt to the most serious of situations. Whatever the occasion, Tpr Cila was able to rise to it. No matter what the circumstance, a chance encounter with Tpr Cila was not easily forgotten.

Despite the tragedy of his loss, his life was celebrated and remembered by over 4,000 police officers and civilians at his funeral. A State Police Chaplin was quoted as saying, "Trooper Vincent has not left us, he has just changed his address"…

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