Enrique Delgado-Garcia

Gender : Male

Age : 25

Race : Latinx

Date : 09/13/2024

Location : Massachusetts State Police Academy

City : Braintree

County : Norfolk

State : Massachusetts

Agency : Massachusetts State Police

Cause of Death : Beaten/bludgeoned

Event : Died during training exercise

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On September 12, 2024, Massachusetts State Police recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, became unresponsive during a defensive tactics training exercise involving boxing at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree. Despite immediate medical attention and transportation to UMass Memorial Medical Center, he died the following day.
.
The academy's on-site medical team responded promptly when Delgado-Garcia became unresponsive, determining he required urgent medical care.
.
Family members have raised concerns about the circumstances leading to his death, reporting that he suffered severe brain trauma, a neck fracture, and broken teeth. His mother questioned the intensity of the training, stating, "I don’t understand why it was so rough if it was just training."
.
The incident has prompted an independent investigation. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. recused his office due to Delgado-Garcia's prior employment there as a victim witness advocate. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell appointed veteran trial attorney David Meier to lead the investigation, emphasizing the need for an objective review.
.
In response to the incident, the Massachusetts State Police suspended full-contact boxing training activities among recruits until further notice. Col. John Mawn Jr., head of the state police, stated, "The Massachusetts State Police grieves the tragic loss of Trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Reports have surfaced alleging grueling and hazing-like conditions at the academy. A former trainee, Giovani Jn-Baptiste, claimed he experienced bullying and racist remarks during his time at the academy, describing the environment as mentally abusive. He came forward and outlined his personal ordeal with racist hazing during training by the same LEO in which he was singled out to crawl on the floor and mop it with his clothing and body and other forms of humiliation. State Police have denied these allegations, asserting they do not tolerate any form of hazing, discrimination, or misconduct.
.
Delgado-Garcia, originally from Puerto Rico, moved to Worcester at a young age. He earned an undergraduate degree from Westfield State University and served as a victim witness advocate in the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office before joining the State Police Academy in April 2024. He was set to graduate on October 9.
.
This tragic event has raised critical questions about the safety and oversight of training practices at the Massachusetts State Police Academy. The ongoing independent investigation aims to provide clarity and ensure accountability.
.
Fred Taylor, head of the Worcester NAACP, urged the media to look into the training exercises of MSP.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/massachusetts-state-police-recruits-death-what-we-know-about-the-investigation/3489726/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/19/reports-emerge-of-grueling-conditions-at-state-police-academy-following-recruits-death/
https://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/it-was-really-hurtful-former-msp-trainee-who-knew-dead-recruit-details-racist-bullying-allegations-at-academy/3491841/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-state-police-trainee-enrique-delgado-garcia-extreme-training-friend-interview/62245424
https://fallriverreporter.com/massachusetts-state-police-release-details-after-academy-trainee-passes-away-after-training-exercise/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-state-police-recruit-dies-boxing-academy/
https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-police-death-training-exercise-35d7304e3b01eb1e3e5d3c7785308e1a
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/23/boxing-training-suspended-massachusetts-police-academy-recruit-death/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/25-investigates-source-reveals-new-details-death-beloved-msp-recruit/SEOJYOCIJZCYXMGIC3JXBGZ5TY/
https://www.newsweek.com/massachusetts-police-academy-boxing-training-injury-death-1957860
https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-police-recruit-death-boxing-a075dbdaf139047fcd724945bf1d0f9c
https://apnews.com/article/8b7aa3bbc2828d5fcd0eda0c898605ff
https://people.com/massachusetts-state-police-recruit-dies-after-boxing-training-exercise-8713231
https://nypost.com/2024/09/15/us-news/mass-state-police-recruit-sworn-in-as-trooper-on-deathbed/
https://apnews.com/article/c25823025b5fa0d6dd27518a91315040