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Mass. witnesses urge creation of 'Blue Star' license plate to honor families of officers killed in the line of duty
Summary
Officials, survivors and families told the Joint Committee on Transportation the proposed Blue Star family license plate would offer a visible, lasting memorial and limited funding for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial and services for surviving families. Testimony included personal accounts from relatives of officers killed on duty and a
Colonel Jeffrey Noble, representing the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts State Police, urged the Joint Committee on Transportation to report Senate Bill 2449 and House Bill 3811 favorably, saying the proposed Blue Star family license plate would provide a "lasting sign of appreciation to our blue star families." Colonel Noble said the plates would "remind of fallen heroes' families, loved ones, and colleagues that they are never forgotten."
Why it matters: Supporters told the committee the plates would sustain public recognition of officers killed in the line of duty and generate modest revenue to honor those losses. Several family members — including Caitlin Tarantino, who testified for families of officers lost since 1960 — said a license plate would be a daily, public reminder of the sacrifice and a source of comfort.
Colonel Noble outlined existing memorial practices used by State Police, including permanent memorials and banners displayed at headquarters during the month of a trooper's line-of-duty death, and told the panel the license plates would complement those efforts. "For the small cost of a license plate, we can provide a lasting sign of appreciation to our blue star families," he said.
Family members offered firsthand accounts of losing relatives in the line of duty. Caitlin Tarantino described her brother, Officer Ronald Tarantino Jr. of the Auburn Police Department, who was killed during a traffic stop on May 22, 2016. Tarantino said her family established a nonprofit in his name and that a Blue Star plate would place "our pride on display for all to see" and "serve as a reminder that police officers are human and they have families who love them."
Other relatives told the committee that public attention and memorials fade over time while families continue to grieve. Witnesses said the proposed plate would provide ongoing recognition that is visible across the commonwealth. Supporters included law enforcement representatives who accompanied family members and several advocacy organizations that submitted written testimony in favor of the bills.
No formal vote was recorded during the hearing. Committee members asked few questions during this portion of testimony and accepted written testimony for the legislative record.
The bills: Senate Bill 2449 and House Bill 3811 would establish a Blue Star family license plate; text of the bills and any cost or revenue estimates were not presented in detail during the hearing.
