An off-duty police sergeant from Randolph, Massachusetts, tragically lost his life yesterday after being struck by a commuter rail train in Abington. The incident occurred at the Birch Street railroad crossing at around 8 p.m., where Scott Sherman, a 56-year-old who had been with the Randolph Police Department for over two decades, was found deceased, as detailed in reports from both Boston 25 News and WCVB.
According to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, a preliminary investigation found mechanical faults on the train, which was traveling under the speed limit, the unfortunate collision cast a somber cloud on the Randolph Police Department where Sgt. Sherman, was recognized as a dedicated public servant after earning his stripes in 2022, he was off-duty during the time of his death a development that adds a poignant layer to the narrative of the first responders who mourn their brother in arms. Transit police, Massachusetts State Police, the local Abington Police, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continue to work through the details of this developing investigation.
Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag shared his department's heartache over the loss of Sgt. Sherman, acknowledging his esteemed character in statements to both Boston 25 News and WCVB, "The entire Randolph Police Department mourns this devastating loss," Marag said, "We will stand together to support each other and Sgt. Sherman's family as we navigate this difficult time," furthermore, Chief Marag paid tribute to Sherman's enduring contributions to the community and the impact he had on those who worked with him.
While footage from the incident revealed that the crossing lights and arms were functioning correctly at the time Sherman was hit, reports from the train operators, in contradiction to the District Attorney's office, noted no mechanical faults, leaving questions that the ongoing investigation aims to address as it deepens into the how and why this accident took place under already tragic circumstances. The tragic loss reflects not only on the dangers faced by those who pledge to serve and protect but on the intersections where life can abruptly end for anyone caught in the indifferent path of an oncoming train.
Details for Sgt. Sherman's services are pending, and further updates on the investigation are expected as more information comes to light.
