Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Dupre, it has been 45 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement continues to serve and protect and make life secure for our part of the country. I honor your 6 years of law enforcement service to the citizens of Sturbridge.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

September 15, 2024

Officer Dupre, it has been 44 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

September 15, 2023

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 15, 2020

Patrolman Dupre,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Sturbridge. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 15, 2019

I knew Rich as he was my brother Bruce's friend and fellow police officer in Sturbridge. The two were good friends and when in uniform looked a lot like each other. There were times when I thought Rich was Bruce and Bruce was Rich. Anne and her sons Jason and Justin, both Rich's sons are now a part of the Morris family as they are now Husband and wife. Brought together through the loss of a wonderful, loving, caring man. Bruce and Anne have a son together Jared. He was so very loved by many, and missed by even more. Justin recently had a son and named him Anthony Richard Dupre. Thank you for your service Rich.

Susan Morris
friend

May 23, 2016

Rich was a childhood friend who became a Sturbridge Police Officer about the same time I became a Southbridge Police Officer. Rich's mother and my mother worked together for years at Russell Harrington. I had spoken to Rich the morning he was killed. We were both at a funeral for a Southbridge Auxiliary Police officer who had died in an industrial accident. That afternoon I was called into work early as a result of his being hit. When I arrived at the station I was sent to his home on Oaks Ave. to locate his wife and transport her to the Emergency Room. I eventually located her at the Notre Dame Fall Festival and I transported her to the E R and was with her when she was informed that he had died. Rich was everything a Police Officer should be and perhaps a little bit more. His loss left a huge hole in the life of anyone who had the honor of knowing him. The Town of Sturbridge lost a truly special employee that day.

Lt. Bill Hibbard
Southbridge PD. (retired)

May 11, 2015

Patrolman Dupree,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Sturbridge. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. It sickens me that the person that killed served less than a year in prison.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

September 15, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 16, 2010

Officer Dupre you are not forgotten by the men and women of the Boston Police Dept. RIP

Det. Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.

July 2, 2010

Ptl. Dupre, now it's 29 years. May you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.

September 15, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 18, 2008

Patrolman Dupre, today marks the 27th anniversary of your death. I know in my heart that the driver responsible for your senseless death faced justice at some point after all this occurred. I also know that you never truly left those who knew and loved you.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

September 15, 2006

Rest in peace Brother Dupre.

OFC Kevin R Turley
Heflin Police Department Alabama

July 28, 2006

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

May 18, 2005

Rich, there is hardly a day that passes when I don't think of you and what a great person you were. I still miss you, buddy.

Deputy Chief, 1979-1983
Sturbridge Police Dept.