Holly MatkinHingham, MA – Randolph Police Department (RPD) Officer Michael “Mike” Beal died in a two-vehicle collision while off-duty on May 14.
The 61-year-old officer was traveling along Route 3 at approximately 6:20 a.m. when his vehicle and a second car collided near Exit 35, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz’s office told the Associated Press.
Officer Beal’s vehicle rolled before coming to a stop on its roof in the median, The Patriot Ledger reported.
Police found him lying in the roadway, according to the Associated Press.
Officer Beal was pronounced dead at the scene, The Patriot Leger reported.
The second vehicle came to a stop in the breakdown lane.
Investigators said the driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth for treatment, the Associated Press reported.
Massachusetts State Police (MSP) are handling the ongoing investigation into the fatal collision.
Officer Beal’s friend and coworker, Daniel Zaiter, said the longtime officer was on his way to pick up his wife to go to their youngest child’s college graduation when the crash occurred.
“Carol was dressed and waiting for Mike so they could attend Thierry’s graduation from Nursing School at UMass Lowell,” Zaiter wrote on a fundraising page established to help Officer Beal’s family. “Thierry, on stage searching for her parents in the crowd, located her brother Liam in tears. As you can imagine, no words are able to convey how a day of celebration turned into a living nightmare.”
Officer Beal served the RPD for more than 35 years.
He also worked for the Harvard University Police Department prior to joining the RPD, according to his obituary.
“’Kind’ is the word that keeps coming up when Mike’s name is mentioned,” Zaiter said. “He was a devoted husband, caring family man, loyal friend and courageous police officer who devoted his professional life to serving the Town of Randolph…”
RPD Chief Anthony Marag said Officer Beal was an “amazing person and friend” who was beloved by the entire department, the Associated Press reported.
“Please keep his family, friends, and members of the Randolph Police Department in your thoughts and prayers,” Chief Marag said in a statement to MassLive.
Officer Beal leaves behind his wife of 36 years, as well as his eight children and five grandchildren, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his mother, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
Officer Beal was laid to rest on May 20.
Veteran @RandolphPD Officer Michael Beal was killed in a crash on Route 3 in Hingham Saturday. He was on his way to pick-up his wife so they could go to their youngest child’s nursing school graduation. Lt. Dan Zaiter has set-up a @gofundme for the family: https://t.co/NiknP9ZKXM
— Mike Saccone (@mikesacconetv) May 16, 2022
Statement from oldest daughter of @RandolphPD Officer Mike Beal:
“On behalf of my family, I’d like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support and kind words during this incredibly difficult time. It has meant so much to us and this community has made us feel so loved.” pic.twitter.com/sogZXdHE3L
— Mike Saccone (@mikesacconetv) May 18, 2022
We share our happy times and we mourn our losses together. Today we remember Officer Michael D. Beal of the @RandolphPD who was tragically killed in an off duty traffic accident last Saturday. #RIPBrother pic.twitter.com/1iKduCAeRc
— Chief Ken Berkowitz (@ChiefBerkowitz) May 20, 2022
Police Officers from around the South Shore along with firefighters from @randolphfire lined up outside of the Cartwright Funeral Home in #Randolph to honor @RandolphPD Officer Michael Beal with a Law Enforcement Walk-By prior to public visiting hours on Thursday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/r32fr0dqn2
— Kevin Wiles, Jr (@kwilesjrphoto) May 19, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Randolph Police Department Officer Michael “Mike” Beal, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
