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Fallen State Trooper Thomas Clardy Honored By Hudson Community

HUDSON (CBS) -- Shoulder-to-shoulder they stood as the body of Massachusetts State Trooper Thomas Clardy was returned to his hometown of Hudson under the watchful eye of police, firefighters and members of the community.

Hudson Procession Trooper Thomas Clardy
A procession was held March 17 in Hudson for fallen Massachusetts State Trooper Thomas Clardy. (WBZ-TV)

Clardy had stopped a Chevy Tahoe on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton on Wednesday afternoon, when he was hit and killed by a Nissan Maxima.

trooper crash charlton
Troopers sealed off the scene after the crash. (WBZ-TV)

He was in his SUV at the time of the crash, and Clardy was rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester where he succumbed to his injuries.

thomas clardy
State Trooper Thomas Clardy. (Photo credit: Mass. State Police)

The driver, 30-year-old Webster resident David Njuguna has been served with a summons, charging him with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stay within marked lanes.

A procession escorted Clardy's body to Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home on Central Street in Hudson where his family waited. He was a husband and father of seven children, six of whom are under the age of 18.

"It's heartbreaking," said one woman through tears. "It shouldn't have happened."

Another woman told WBZ-TV she attended the procession because she "just wanted to let the family know the whole town is here for them."

Residents tied flags across from the funeral home in a show of support for the family; flags they plans to hang throughout the town where many are now at half-staff.

Even for those who never met Clardy, his town of Hudson bleeds blue. Hope Joslyn lowered her family's American flag in tribute to the fallen officer.

"This community really supports anything with the State Police force," she told WBZ.

Hudson resident Heidi Hache called Clardy a "great man" and also a "great family man."

Hache's house now shines blue. She is one of dozens of families replacing their outside lights with blue bulbs.

"We feel really bad, really horrible and we want to show support for the family," she says.

Her home is on the way to the Clardy house. She hopes it brings them some comfort.

"I wanted them to see it and know we're there for them," Hache said.

"Everyone's trying to support them as much as we can. It's tough," added Hudson resident Louie Janeiro.

Clardy, a decorated Marine, had received three Superintendent's Commendations for his work with the State Police, which he joined in 2005.

Local Veterans Agent Brian Stearns met with Clardy when he moved to Hudson.

"He had a very (commanding) presence," he says. "He was a leader. You could tell right away. He was a strong guy, and a very pleasant guy as well."

A wake and a funeral are expected to be held Monday and Tuesday, respectively, as arrangements are in the process of being finalized.

WBZ-TV's Katie Brace contributed to this report.

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