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Police department mourns ‘devastating’ loss of off-duty officer struck and killed by commuter train in Abington
“His compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service made a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him.”
An off-duty Randolph police officer died Sunday night after he was struck by a commuter rail train in Abington, authorities said.
Scott Sherman, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office said in a statement.
Transit police responded to the report of a pedestrian struck by a commuter rail train at the Birch Street crossing around 8 p.m. on Sunday, the DA’s office said. The initial investigation indicates that the train was traveling below the 70 mph speed limit at the time and no mechanical faults were found by train operators. Video surveillance of the railroad crossing also showed the crossing lights were activated and the arms were blocking the intersection at the time of the crash, investigators said.
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Sherman was a sergeant with the Randolph Police Department, the department announced Monday.
Sherman was a “highly respected and dedicated member” of the department, where for the last 23 years he’d served with “honor and integrity,” Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag said in a statement.
Sherman was promoted to sergeant in 2022, and he previously served both as a school resource officer and as the department’s elder affairs officer, according to the department. In that role, he was involved with programming at the Randolph Intergenerational Community Center.
“Scott was very funny, extremely intelligent, and well-respected,” Marag said. “His compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service made a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him. The entire Randolph Police Department mourns this devastating loss. We will stand together to support each other and Sgt. Sherman’s family as we navigate this difficult time. His legacy and contributions to this department and our community will never be forgotten.”
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Information on funeral services will be shared with the community as they become available, according to the department. The DA’s office said the circumstances around Sherman’s death remain under investigation.
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