We've heard all about Tamar Bucci the Massachusetts State Police trooper. But at her funeral service on Wednesday, we heard about Tamar Bucci the marathon runner, the Harry Potter lover, the daughter and the sister who will be forever missed.
Bucci, who was killed in a crash last week on Interstate 93 in Stoneham, was remembered at a celebration of life Wednesday at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Revere. Approximately 2,000 law enforcement officers were on hand.
Among those who spoke was Jim Burditt, Bucci's stepfather.
"I can tell all of you she's looking down feeling proud and smiling at each and every one of you. I also know she's probably saying, 'It's about time you carried me,'" he said.
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She was remembered by her stepfather as "quirky, silly, physically strong and absolutely gorgeous."
State Police Col. Christopher Mason remembered Bucci as "a trooper who had a calling to protect the vulnerable, a trooper who had a passion to make a difference, a trooper who had a genuine desire to serve others."
Wednesday's service came a day after a law enforcement walk-by during visiting hours saw hundreds of officers from as far as Missouri and Nebraska turn up in a show of support.
Bucci's pallbearers Wednesday were six troopers who were her classmates in the 85th Recruit Training Troop. They were the first all-female pallbearer contingent for a Massachusetts State Police line of duty funeral service.
Gov. Charlie Baker flew back to Massachusetts on Wednesday morning to attend Bucci's funeral. A Baker aide said the governor plans to head back to Utah on Wednesday afternoon for the remainder of his fmaily vacation, and weill then return to Massachusetts as scheduled this Friday.
People from around the region showed up to pay their respects to Bucci on Wednesday.
Tiana Bui brought her 6-year-old son with her.
"It's sad that it happened to her. We just came to pay our respects," she said. "We don't know her personally. She's a police officer and she did what she loved."
Bob Rull, whose son is a police officer, was also on hand.
"These people risk their lives every day, every night, and it's just a shame," he said.
Angel Asuncion worked with Bucci in the security department at Encore Boston Harbor casino.
"As soon as she was at Encore, she was like, 'I am going to be a trooper. I am going to be a trooper,'" he said.
Joaquin Rodriquez's daughter was in Bucci's class and was one of the troopers carrying her casket on Wednesday.
"She was in the same class in the academy. It hit home," he said. "They knew each other, they were good friends. It was very emotional for me."
More about Tamar Bucci
Bucci, 34, of Woburn, was killed in a crash on the night of March 3 on Interstate 93 in Stoneham while trying to assist a disabled motor vehicle.
She had been a member of Massachusetts State Police for just under two years. Before joining state police, she worked in the security department at Encore casino and also worked as a personal trainer.
She was a graduate of Andover High School and Middlesex Community College.
Bucci is survived by her parents, two sisters, a stepbrother and a stepsister.
She is the 22nd member of the Massachusetts State Police to die in the line of duty.
Officers, firefighters and paramedics from across the state lined the streets outside the medical examiner's office where the procession began as the body of the trooper's body was escorted from Boston to the Barile Funeral Home in Stoneham.
