Page 16 - February 2017

MSP Chaplain Corps

by Fr. William (Bill) Hamilton
The Chaplain Corps of the Massachusetts State Police have The Chaplain is an indispensible member of the Massachusetts
the honor and privilege of providing support, pastoral care, State Police and has been at its service since its beginning.
and encouragement to the men and women of the French
and Electric Blue as well as their family members and those Currently, those serving as Chaplains are:
who are victimized by crime and tragedy. Through their
diligent care and specialized training, they bring comfort Father Joseph J Baggetta is a priest of the Archdiocese of
and intervention in some of the most difficult circumstances Boston. Presently, he serves a Chaplain to the Department of
of our trooper’s and citizens’ lives. Thankfully, the Chaplain Youth Services and assists at Saint James the Greater Parish
is also called to celebrate with our members the happiest of in Boston’s Chinatown and at the Cathedral of the Holy
events as well. Being called on to witness marriages, baptize Cross. Before his ordination, he served as a Correctional
the young, and celebrate promotions and awards that have Officer at Charles Street Jail (Suffolk County). He also
been so nobly attained. served as a Navy Chaplain. He loves the beach, sports, and
riding his bike.
Often, the Chaplain may be called upon to assist in death
notifications, assist and support victims in times of crisis Father Fred Fraini is our newest Chaplain in the State Police.
and respond to suicide incidents.. They visit sick or injured He grew up in Auburn Massachusetts. Currently a priest of
personnel, respond, when asked, to major accidents and the Diocese of Worcester, his father and both grandfather’s
traumatic events within local communities in which they were police officers. He has three cousins who are police
live. The Chaplain is a resource for counseling for members officers, two in Milford, one in Northbridge. Prior to
of the agency and their families, and serves as a liaison discerning a call to the priesthood, Father Fraini thought for
with other clergy in the community. They are called upon to sure he would become a police officer. As a high school
deliver the invocation or benediction at public ceremonies student he attended the Student Trooper Program at the
such as police memorials, graduations, promotions and State Police Academy. He graduated from Auburn High
award ceremonies as representatives of the Department School, Worcester State University, St. Mary’s Seminary
of State Police. They also are on hand to serve inside the and University in Baltimore and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary
department as need arises. in Emmitsburg, MD. Father Fred is an avid sportsman. He
enjoys waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, black bear hunting,
Those in Law enforcement know all to readily that shifts and pheasant hunting and turkey hunting. He also enjoys
days can be filled with hours of boredom and moments of largemouth bass fishing and striper fishing. Ice fishing
terrorizing fear. The Chaplain is one who, by their presence, is also a part of his winter recreation. He’s probably the
weather it be in the barracks or in the cruiser, help individuals only priest in the area whose rectory looks like a lodge.
cope with the reality of an often unappreciated job. Their
ability to interact with the members of their respective troops Father Fred is currently pastor of St. Anna Church in
allows them to be very approachable and helpful, especially Leominster, MA and Headmaster of St. Anna Catholic
when individuals may not, due to their schedules, have the School. Father considers it a tremendous honor and privilege
same opportunity with their local clergy. to serve the men and women of the Massachusetts State
Police as a chaplain. He is also chaplain of the Leominster
In recent years, the Chaplain has been called on to assist the Police Department and former chaplain of the Athol Police
Employee Assistance Unit (EAU) in the handling of Critical Department. Currently, because of his love and enthusiasm
Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Post Traumatic for the outdoors he has been approached to consider a
Stress or Shooting Disorders (PTSD). The constant stress chaplaincy with the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
of critical incidents takes its toll on the Law Enforcement
Officer and unrelieved stress can cause both serious physical Chaplain Johnny M. Wilson is senior minister of a
and emotional damage if not treated quickly and efficiently. multicultural major denomination church in Rhode Island.
The Chaplain in collaboration with the EAU, assists the He is a Retired U.S. Navy Chaplain and served in the Gulf
individual in coping with the symptoms caused by Post War. Chaplain Wilson is a graduate of Graduate Theological
Traumatic Stress such as handling memories, nightmares, Union in Berkeley, CA. He appreciates those women
and flashbacks. They assist in stages of grieving, emotional and men troopers who defend and protect the citizens of
suffering, anger, depression, and fear, with intervention for Massachusetts. He enjoys college basketball. His favorite
all forms of addictive personality. They also help to achieve teams are Syracuse, UCONN, Boston College and UCLA.
levels of love, forgiveness, married life and relationships, Though he serves in Rhode Island, he makes his home in
family structure, and parenting. Springfield, MA, serving the Troop B area and beyond.

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