Police are asking those who were in Waltham when a police officer and National Grid worker were killed in a crash to come forward with any details to help with the investigation.
“Even if you think it may not be of value, trained investigators may find evidentiary value in what appear to be the most minor of details and would like to hear from you,” the Waltham Police Department and Massachusetts State Police said in a joint statement.
Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and Roderick Jackson, of Cambridge, were killed Dec. 6 when 54-year-old Woodsville resident Peter Simon drove a truck into a National Grid work site on Totten Pond Road where the officer was working a paid detail, authorities said. Two other workers were also injured.
Simon is also accused of pulling a knife on another Waltham officer and stealing his cruiser during the incident. He was arraigned Dec. 7 on two counts of manslaughter, armed robbery and other charges. He pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.
Police are also asking for any videos from that day, including from cell phones or home cameras.
“If you drive a vehicle with onboard cameras or a dash camera or were even riding a bicycle with a camera on it and were in the area prior to or after the accident please look for footage for us as well,” police wrote.
People can contact the police departments through email at tips@police.waltham.ma.us, phone at 781-314-3636 or through Facebook messenger.
Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58, was killed in Waltham on Dec. 6 along with a National Grid worker.Waltham Police Department
Tracey was part of the Waltham Police Department for 28 years. He was previously recognized for saving the life of a woman who was overdosing on a Cape Cod beach in 2018.
A wake for the 58-year-old officer is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham from 3 to 8 p.m., according to Brasco & Son Funeral Home. A funeral Mass is set for the following day at the same church at 10 a.m., after which Tracey will be buried with police honors at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham.
The 36-year-old National Grid employee was remembered as selfless and being the heart of the family.
“He was always willing to lend a hand, roll up his sleeves and help a colleague. His loss is deeply felt throughout the company and he will be sorely missed,” National Grid shared.
Roderick “Kito” Jackson, a 36-year-old Cambridge resident, was working for National Grid when a man drove a truck into his work site in Waltham, killing him and a police officer.Photo courtesy of Roderick Jackson’s family
Services for Jackson are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, at St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge, with services between 9 and 11 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., Jackson’s obituary on Legacy said. The church is located on 37 Bishop Allen Drive.
A GoFundMe has been created to benefit Jackson’s family, and another fundraiser is collecting money on behalf of all the victims and their families.
