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Service held for Massachusetts State trooper who died of injuries sustained while on duty in 2018

WILMINGTON, Mass. — A celebration of life was held Friday for Massachusetts State Trooper Thomas Devlin. Devlin died last week, two years after he was injured while on duty.

Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey all attended the celebration. It was held on the high school softball field in Devlin’s hometown of Wilmington.

Trooper Devlin’s family said he lived an extraordinary life and was a phenomenal man of unwavering faith.

“Trooper Devlin is always remembered as a family man, a compassionate man and a gentleman,” said James Peterson, Devlin’s brother-in-law.

The 35-year-veteran state trooper was hit by a car during a traffic stop on Route 3 in Billerica in July 2018, just minutes before his shift ended for the day.

Trooper Devlin had numerous surgeries and passed away from his injuries after a courageous battle on September 3rd.

“He did put up quite a fight and one thing I want the people to know is that as hard as it was for Trooper Devlin, the man never complained. Never. If you asked how he was doing he would shrug his shoulders and say okay,” Peterson said.

Devlin’s family said he was a humble, family man and a man of God. Despite living in constant pain his daughter, Hannah, said during the service that her father never felt sorry for himself.

“Losing that time would mean not living everyday with pain across your whole body and not to have to undergo 6 major surgeries in such a short period of time," said Hannah. But throughout these two years we’ve made so many incredible memories and had so many laughs. Because of this I know that if you were given an opportunity to trade those two years and not endure all that pain, you wouldn’t even think about your decision. You would not take it."

Devlin was 58-years-old. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their four children.

They said he absolutely loved being a member of the Massachusetts State Police and that if they allowed him to he would have worked for free.