"It was a good day when you worked with Jose," his supervising sergeant said of the patrolman who died in the line of duty. Watch video
WESTFIELD — It was always a good day when you worked with veteran Westfield Police Patrolman Jose Torres, supervising Sgt. Alex Baginski said during funeral services Tuesday at Westfield State University.
Childhood friend Capt. Hipolito Nunez recalled Torres' motto on life was to "live, laugh and love."
Thousands of friends, colleagues, family members and well-wishers attended Tuesday's funeral for the 27-year police veteran who died last Thursday from injuries suffered when he was struck by a dump truck while directing traffic on Pontoosic Road.
Dignitaries attending included Gov. Deval L. Patrick, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, Springfield Catholic Diocese Bishop Timothy McDonnell, State Police Chaplin William Hamilton, former Westfield Mayor Richard K. Sullivan and Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle.
The 500 seating available in Dever Auditorium at Parenzo Hall were full with standing room only. Overflow seating, another 500 seats, were made available at nearby Scanlon Hall.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Brian McGrath, pastor at St. Mary's Church. McGrath spoke of Torres' love for family and said "being a cop was not a job for him but a calling."
In her eulogy, wife Kara said "Jose was truly my best friend. We went together like peanut butter and jelly. He lived his life to the fullest and was the perfect husband, father, brother and he took great pride in being a Westfield police officer.
"He supported our sons in everything they did and we both sat down every night with our boys for dinner. He had a special bond with his brothers and other family members," said Kara.
Kara Torres said her husband had a passion for gardening and was a devoted fan of the Red Sox. He purchased hamburgers and other foods for homeless people.
"This is a snapshot of who my husband was and I will always miss him," she said.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said Torres "had a big heart, a great smile and incredible heroism. This city mourns Jose as a native son of Westfield. He touched so many people and he was a testament of a great life.
"His spirit forever will be on patrol on our streets," said Knapik.
Nunez said Torres "had a sense of humor and tried to make everyone smile. He only saw the good in everybody and he disliked conflict. He saw incidents as opportunities for people to find a better way of life."
Baginski called Tuesday "a very sad day that we put on our dress uniforms." He repeated, "it was a good day when you worked with Jose," repeatedly during his eulogy of his friend and colleague.