Holly MatkinEast Windsor, CT – Chicopee Police Department (CPD) Officer Angela Santiago died in an off-duty motorcycle crash on June 16.
The fatal collision occurred as the 33-year-old officer was exiting Interstate 91 southbound at Exit 44, The Republican reported.
Investigators said that Officer Santiago lost control of her 2005 Harley Davidson “for some unknown reason” and collided with a concrete jersey barrier in the median.
She was ejected from the motorcycle due to the force of the impact and suffered fatal injuries, The Republican reported.
The investigation into the deadly collision is ongoing.
Prior to her career in law enforcement, Officer Santiago served in the U.S. Army from 2005 until 2019, according to her obituary.
The highly-decorated Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran participated in multiple missions and deployments, and landed the top fitness score during her combat training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
She still holds the record title, according to her family.
Officer Santiago joined the CPD in 2014, and began serving as a school resource officer at Chicopee High school in early 2020, The Republican reported.
“Officer Santiago had a vibrant personality and an infectious smile, and could instantly connect with people and students,” Chicopee Superintendent of Schools Lynn Clark told The Republican. “[Her death is] an incredible loss to the Chicopee Public Schools and the Chicopee community.”
CPD Chief William Jebb said that Officer Santiago was young, energetic, and very involved with the Chicopee community, The Republican reported.
“She was everything you would want in a police officer,” Chief Jebb said.
“Our hearts are hurting,” CPD said in a Facebook post. “We wish to offer our prayers and condolences to her family and let them know that we will always be there for them and we will never forget Angela. May you rest in peace.”
Officer Santiago leaves behind her girlfriend, Lauren, as well as her parents, stepparents, godparents, siblings, godchildren, and many friends, extended family members and coworkers, according to her obituary.
She was laid to rest on June 21.
Tonight we remember Officer Angela Santiago. We thank her family for sharing this beautiful spirit with us — our country, our city, our students.
She served with dignity, honor, and grace — and our community is better for it.
We will never forget her 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/Q6jtQLJutv
— Joel McAuliffe (@JoelforChicopee) June 20, 2020
A very emotional moment tonight at the City of Chicopee, where a candlelight vigil was held for Officer Angela Santiago. 💙 @Specnews1worc pic.twitter.com/UmNLRAkcnH
— Valerie Bell (@vbell_reports) June 20, 2020
The @ChicopeeMa_PD is mourning the loss an off-duty police officer killed in a motorcycle crash in Connecticut.
Officer Angela Santiago was an officer for six years and was assigned as the school resource officer at #Chicopee High School.@boston25 pic.twitter.com/4qrR16h9lL
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) June 17, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Chicopee Police Department Officer Angela Santiago, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
