A New Hampshire man is being held without bail after allegedly killing a Waltham police officer and National Grid utility worker as he barreled through a construction site on Totten Pond Road before crashing.
Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, N.H. faced arraignment Thursday morning in Waltham District Court where he was met in the packed courtroom with a crowd of grieving family and a show of solidarity and support from visibly shaken police officers and utility workers.
Simon was ordered held without bail pending a bail hearing scheduled December 14.
Simon is accused of running down officer Paul Tracey, 58, a 28-year veteran of the Waltham police department and Robert Jackson, 36, a National Grid worker from Cambridge.
Tracey is a decorated veteran of the Waltham Police.
In 2018, he was hailed as a hero after he helped save the life of a woman who overdosed on drugs on a Cape Cod beach, Boston 25 reported at the time. Tracey was off duty, on a family vacation, at Riviera Beach Resort in South Yarmouth when he and a cousin began CPR on the woman in distress, the station reported.
“Paul Tracey served this great city with distinction,” said Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell, visibly shaken up at a news conference Wednesday night after the deadly crash. “He was a compassionate police officer but always looked out for the underdog. He’s an amazing husband, loving father and a friend to all, especially the men and women of this police department.”
Two other utility workers were taken to a hospital after the crash, National Grid said. “Our thoughts are with the crew members, their families and loved ones,” the company said in a statement.
After crashing into the officer and utility workers at the detail site, Simon stole a Waltham police cruiser and fled the scene before crashing, according to the Massachusetts State Police.
“The suspect was then apprehended after a foot pursuit and is currently in custody,” the Middlesex DA’s Office said Wednesday in a statement. “This is a very active investigation and updates will be provided as they become available.”
– Developing