For the past two days the Town of Franklin has hosted the funeral services for Stephen A. LaPorta, an Uxbridge Police Officer who passed away tragically on January 7, 2026 while responding to multiple motor vehicle crashes on Route 146. Thousands of mourners were expected to attend the services throughout the two days and as you can imagine, the planning for the services for a police officer killed in the line of duty is an extraordinary undertaken.
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| Franklin Police Chief Lynch says thanks to the Franklin community for "your patience, understanding and support " |
The Franklin Police Department was honored to assist in providing a safe and organized venue so the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, the greater Uxbridge community, friends, and law enforcement officers from throughout the country could pay their respects to a public safety hero who gave his life in service to others.
This extraordinary undertaking would not have been possible without the support, understanding and flexibility of the entire Franklin community. A long list of organizations, agencies and town departments were requested and graciously agreed to provide direct support or alter their operations and schedules to assist in this endeavor. The members of these various entities had to adjust to changed schedules or cancellations. The entire community was affected by the road closures, detours and increased traffic.
On behalf of the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, the greater Uxbridge community and the Franklin Police Department; I want to thank the Town of Franklin for your patience, understanding and support over these last two days.
Thank You!
Thomas J. Lynch
Chief of Police
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