Page 2 - April 2017

Remembering

Trooper Matthew Daigle

By Trooper Daniel Navin

He was the definition of integrity: doing the
right thing when no one else was around. He didn’t just
look the part, he acted it every single day. He rolled up
as the backup you wanted, and were always happy to
see coming. He was quick to pick up the shifts everyone
else took off -- never wanting anyone in this uniform to
miss out on fun or time with their families. He stopped
for every disabled motor vehicle and helped every
stranger in need who crossed his path. His handcuffs
weren’t a hanging cruiser ornament, but were used
when necessary to make his community safer. His smile
was infectious, his attitude was positive and when his
name was on the boards you knew you were in for a
great shift.

This is only a small glimpse of a man, a husband,
a brother, a son, a veteran, a friend and above all (at
least to him) a Trooper. This was Trooper Matthew
“Matty” Daigle #3565 out of the 80 RTT. I had the
th
distinct honor and privilege of knowing Matty for the
past five years: we were classmates, linemates and I’m
one of the lucky ones who got to call him friend. When
I was asked to write a short piece of Matty for this issue is stronger and better because of it. Matty brought joy
I had a very difficult time trying to put pen to paper on to the crew, from every outing to every text. He was
how truly special he was. I spent a great deal of time a great person to vent to and an even better person
drafting different stories of how selfless he was, how he to lend you advice. He always knew the right thing
put EVERYONE else’s needs ahead of his own, how to do. Matty was there for us, 24 hours a day, 7 days
he thought the world of his family, how he enjoyed the a week. It’s the way he was to everyone he cared
company of all of his many friends, how proud he was about, on or off the job. I found a quote that really

to be able to say he was a Massachusetts State Trooper sums up how much Matty impacted our lives, and the
and how his happiest days were spent with his wife (and lives of every person who came across Cruiser 506
best friend) Christine. So I ended up reaching out to the or Cruiser 1804: “Friendship isn’t about who you’ve
fellow troopers who loved him like I did. These are known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life
my closest friends on this job, all being my classmates and said ‘I’m here for you’ and proved it”.
and most respected confidants. We were all assigned That was Matty. Simply put.
to Athol after our respective break-ins and formed
a bond/friendship/brotherhood that is truly second When his name comes up in conversation, it’s
to none. Each personality is different, and our group always said with a smile, and followed by, “He was

French·and·Electric·Blue·April·2017·page·2