Fallen trooper's third son graduates state police academy

BOSTON – Nearly 200 troopers graduated from the State Police Academy Thursday all of whom have unique stories, but one trooper’s graduation brings a family legacy full circle.

Sgt. Doug Weddleton was hit by a drunken driver and killed on June 18, 2010 while working an overnight construction detail in Attleboro. Now, almost eight years later, his third son is joining the ranks.

"It's a great honor to wear this uniform, same uniform my father did,” Trooper Ross Weddleton said. "I thought about him during the 116 days of training. That’s kind of what pushed me to get to this point and I know he'd be proud of me to be here in these boots and this uniform that he wore."

Ross is the third of Weddleton’s sons to join the Massachusetts State Police, joining his brothers Stephen and Mark.

"He set a good example for us as kids. Hard work and dedication, I don't know how he did it, but he always had time for family,” Ross said.

Now with three sons following in their father’s footsteps, Judy Weddleton couldn’t be a prouder mother.

"It's just beyond words,” she said. "They love their father and it’s an honor to carry on his legacy like this."

The older Weddleton men joined Massachusetts State Police in 2014 and 2016.

TOP STORIES:

Cox Media Group