Furtado

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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October 8, 1950

As a young boy, Dan Furtado was raised in the town of New Bedford where his family owned a bakery. As a teenager, he often delivered bread to the Dartmouth Barracks; this left a lasting impression on the youth, and inspired him to become a trooper. On December 7^th, 1949, Trooper Furtado attained his dream and graduated with the 35^th Recruit Training Troop. However, one obstacle remained, there were not enough vacancies in the uniformed branch to accommodate all of the new troopers. Trooper Furtado was one of 24 placed on "standby" status. This was a great disappointment as Trooper Furtado had hoped for an immediate assignment.

Finally, in Autumn of 1950, Trooper Furtado was called to duty; his assignment was to Troop C Headquarters in Holden. He was killed on his very first patrol. On October 8^th, while on motorcycle patrol with Trooper Paul F. Kane, the troopers neared the end of their shift and began their return to SP Holden. Suddenly, without warning, Trooper Furtado’s motorcycle left the roadway in the town of West Boylston, striking a tree. Trooper Furtado was killed instantly. He was 23 years old and laid to rest in the uniform which he wore on patrol for a single day.

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