Massachusetts State Police Recruit Dies After Boxing Training Exercise: 'Beloved Member of His Class'
Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, was sworn in as a trooper before he died from the Sept. 12 training exercise, authorities said
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Enrique Delgado-GarciaA Massachusetts State Police recruit died after he was critically injured in a training exercise last week, according to authorities.
MSP said that Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, of Worcester, died on Friday, Sept. 13, “following a medical crisis suffered during a training exercise,” The Boston Globe, CBS affiliate WBZ and Fox affiliate WFXT reported.
He “became unresponsive during a defensive tactics training exercise” on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the department’s academy in New Braintree, according to the outlets.
The 25 year old was boxing at the time of the incident, according to WBZ and ABC affiliate WCVB. He later died after he was taken to the hospital, per reports.
PEOPLE reached out to police for comment.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Trainee Delgado-Garcia’s family, loved ones, and fellow trainees during this incredibly difficult time,” MSP said in a statement shared with WFXT.
In his final moments before he died, Delgado-Garcia was sworn in as a trooper, police said, as reported by WCVB. A member of the 90th Recruit Training Troop since April, the recruit was slated to graduate on Oct. 9.
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"The Massachusetts State Police administered the oath of office in Enrique Delgado-Garcia’s final hours of life,” said MSP spokesperson Tim McGuirk, per WCVB. “He was surrounded by family, loved ones, and classmates during the bi-lingual ceremony, which culminated in him being pinned with his Trooper Badge.”
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Delgado-Garcia’s body was later transported on Sept. 14 from the hospital to the chief medical examiner’s office in Westfield, The Boston Globe reported.
His family told NBC affiliate WBTS that Delgado-Garcia sustained severe brain damage and a broken neck as a result of the incident. The outlet added that Delgado-Garcia's family is demanding answers on what happened at the academy.
"I'm ashamed of MSP, and I feel like they need to thoroughly investigate this and justice needs to be brought because its not okay how they're treating these troops." said his friend, per WBTS. "If my friend could end up like this this could be anyones son or daughter."
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In an X post shared on Saturday, Sept. 14, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy wrote, "I'm heartbroken about the loss of @MassStatePolice Trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia. He was a beloved member of his class, known for his compassion and devotion to service. We’re holding Enrique's family and his State Police community in our hearts.”
NBC affiliate WJAR reported that the district attorney’s office is investigating the matter.
The DA's office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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