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Incident
Sergeant Ernest DeCross and Lieutenant Gregory Principe were killed in a vehicle crash while pursuing a vehicle being driven by a 16-year-old juvenile. Their vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree near the intersection of Middle Street and Arnold Street. The juvenile was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter. Sergeant DeCross had served with the Braintree Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, father, and mother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant DeCross gave the Braintree Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Braintree community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant DeCross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Braintree Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Ernest is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1991, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1991, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1991, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ernest was 40. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Ernest was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Fridays: 19.6%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Braintree Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Braintree Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Braintree Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
