240 Graduate From Mass State Police Academy Including 2 Former Framingham School Resource Officers

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FRAMINGHAM – Today, May 6, 240 Trainees of the Massachusetts State Police 85th Recruit Training Troop were sworn in as Massachusetts State Police Troopers at a ceremony at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

Among the 240 graduates were former Framingham High School Resource Officers and Framingham Police Officer Eric Hayes and Steven O’Rourke.

Hayes and O’Rourke are both graduates of Framingham High.

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The brief ceremony encompassed physical distancing and other safety precautions. Because of precautions necessitated by the COVID-19 public health emergency, families and friends of the Trainees and other guests will not be allowed to attend, and many ceremonial components traditionally included in Mass State Police graduations was excluded from the program. 

The Trainees, who entered the State Police Academy in January, are graduating several weeks early in order to limit the possibility of virus transmission and to increase the MSP’s sworn ranks as it continues to assist with the state’s response to the pandemic and fulfill its regular full-service policing mission.

The new Troopers will complete additional specialized topic coursework on a rotating basis post-graduation. 

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This was the first time a Massachusetts State Police graduation ceremony was held at Gillette Stadium.

Mass State Police said the location was chosen, thanks to the generous assistance of the Kraft family and the New England Patriots, because the football field allows adequate space for the Trainees to stand in formation with adequate distancing.

Media was not allowed to attend the ceremony, but photos were expected to be distributed by State Police later.

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Photo of Steven O’Rourke & Eric Hayes with Framingham High Principal Carolyn Banach in 2019. Photo by Framingham High PTOBO President Nancy O’Connor