Police from throughout New England pay respects at wake for Westfield police officer Jose Torres, killed in the line of duty

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http://www.masslive....ut_new_eng.html

I knew his son. Was a grade above me.

WESTFIELD — Police from as far away as Boston and East Lyme, Conn., paid their last respects Monday to veteran Westfield Police officer Jose Torres, who was killed while on traffic duty at a construction site last Thursday.

Several hundred police and other public safety officials were the first to join Torres' family members at the wake at Firtion Adams Funeral Home on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of friends and well-wishers gathered outside awaiting their turn.

Torres was killed when he was struck by a dump truck while directing traffic on Pontoosic Road. The accident, still under investigation, happened shortly begfore 7:30 a.m. Torres was rushed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he did a short time later.

Torres' cruiser No. 21 was parked outside the funeral home, empty and draped with black bunting.

Members of the Westfield Explorers Club, a group of teenagers interested in becoming police officers, passed out bottles of water to those waiting to enter the funeral home.

Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said many more public safety representatives from throughout the region and other states are expected to attend Torres' funeral Tuesday at Westfield State University.

"Not too long," said Elaine M. Chrzanowski about the wait. "I've know Jose since we were kids. He was an awesome individual. Everybody loved him," she said.

Wake for Westfield Police Officer Jose Torres Hundreds waited outside the Firtion-Adams funeral home in Westfield to pay final respects to Officer Torres who was killed while on a traffic detail. William R. Wagner said he coached youth football with Torres. "He was just an awesome role model. People loved him," he said.