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Incident
Lieutenant Gregory Principe and Sergeant Ernest DeCross 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. Lieutenant Principe had served with the Braintree Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons. One of his sons later became a Boston police officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Principe gave the Braintree Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Braintree community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Principe.
— 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.
Gregory is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Gregory is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gregory is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 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
Gregory was 43. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Gregory had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Gregory was 43. 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. Gregory had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gregory was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gregory had served 20 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. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Braintree Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Gregory among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-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.
