Mass. officer dies following medical emergency

By Irene Rotondo
masslive.com

BOSTON — The funeral and services for an active-duty, 38-year-old Boston Police officer who died unexpectedly on Jan. 11 have been scheduled.

Pierce Fitzgerald Norton, of South Boston, died following a medical emergency on Thursday, according to the City of Boston Emergency Management and his obituary.

Norton, who was a father, husband, uncle, son and brother, had worked for the Boston Police Department since 2013, his department said. He served on the Citywide Bicycle Unit since 2018.

The South Boston officer “received numerous commendations for his dedicated service during his career, including praise for his response to quality of life concerns,” his department shared.

“Officer Norton was highly regarded by those he worked with, his supervisors and all that knew him, both within the Department and by those he served,” the department said.

He “will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues here at the Boston Police Department,” the department said, and officers sent their “heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this tremendously sad and difficult time.”

“As you go about your day please keep Officer Norton and his family in your thoughts,” the department said.

Norton graduated from Providence College in 2009, and was a talented member of the college’s men’s hockey team — he’d been drafted in the ninth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004, read an article from his alma mater’s athletic website, the Providence Friars.

“The Providence College community is saddened by the news of the passing of Pierce,” Providence College Athletic Director Steve Napolillo said in the article.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. They will always be a part of the Friar community.”

Norton left behind a wife and son, along with two sisters, a brother and their spouses, his obituary read. He also had many “aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom he loved dearly.”

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, at 841 East Broadway in South Boston, his obituary read.

The funeral, open to relatives and friends, will be held on Wednesday at the church at 10 a.m., and will be live-streamed at www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org. Norton will be buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Dorchester.

Norton’s family asked for donations in his memory to be made to South Boston Youth Hockey c/o Rob Clifford, at 807 East Broadway in South Boston, or to Thayer Academy at 745 Washington St. in Braintree.