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State Trooper Arrested For Allegedly Attacking Wife

PALMER (CBS) – A veteran state trooper was relieved of his duty Thursday, shortly after he was arrested for allegedly attacking his wife.

State Police spokesman David Procopio said troopers were called to a home in Brimfield around 1:30 a.m.

According to a police report, Trooper Donald Pillsbury assaulted his wife and refused to call an ambulance.

WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson reports

She was taken to Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge for evaluation and treatment. Procopio said she had "visible injuries."

Pillsbury was arrested and taken to the Sturbridge barracks, where he was booked and immediately relieved of duty.

Pillsbury is the fourth Massachusetts State Trooper arrested in as many months.

"We confiscated Pillsbury's service firearm as well as personal firearms that were stored securely in his home. We also confiscated his State Police identification, license to carry, and cruiser. An internal hearing is being arranged to determine changes to Pillsbury's duty status. His police dog, which was in a kennel at his home, is being secured by the K-9 Section," said Procopio, who later added that troopers recovered around 25 personal firearms and his on-duty weapon from the home.

Pillsbury's wife  says this is not the first time she has been abused.

According to investigators, Trooper Pillsbury and his wife had been at a wake, had been drinking and got into a fight.

According to the police report, Pillsbury grabbed her and threw her into a wall. While she was lying on the bathroom floor, Pillsbury kicked her several times.

She got a restraining order Wednesday night, but dropped it today.

Pillsbury joined the State Police in May 1994.

He will face a hearing Friday to determine his future with the State Police.

Pillsbury's attorney, Joseph Kittredge says the trooper expects to stay on the job, but State Police released this statement:

"The department has no tolerance – zero – for any act of domestic abuse. The defendant's actions, as alleged by the victim, are reprehensible. We will continue to investigate the incident thoroughly. In addition to the criminal prosecution, the State Police Internal Affairs Section has begun its own investigation, and the department will take appropriate action based on the results of those investigations," Procopio said.

WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson contributed to this report.

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