Services announced and fund created after active-duty death of Massachusetts police officer

Services have been announced and a fund has been created for the family of an active-duty Massachusetts police officer that died on Friday.

42-year-old Sergeant Derrick Leto of the Worcester Police Department died on Friday unexpectedly while off-duty.

Sgt. Leto was a 18-year veteran of the department. He was the department’s Diversity Officer. In this role he led the Recruiting Team and worked hard to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This past year alone, Sgt. Leto successfully started the department’s first Cadet Program and Explorer’s Program. These two programs aim to recruit candidates from underrepresented communities, including people of color and women. He frequently volunteered at many institutions across the City including the Second Baptist Church and the Friendly House.

“Sgt. Leto had a passion for providing youth with opportunities,” said Chief Sargent. “He made a difference in our department, City and community and worked hard to make our visions a reality. Sgt. Leto made great strides in creating unity among the police and community groups and partners. I will be forever grateful for his service to the citizens of Worcester who he deeply cared about. He will be dearly missed… we are heartbroken.”

Sgt. Leto served as a Marine prior to becoming a police officer. He spoke about his journey to become a police officer at a variety of schools, churches, colleges and institutions.

City Manager Eric Batista also issued a statement which included the following:

“There are no words to express how difficult this loss is to the men and women of the Worcester Police Department and the entire City. Derrick was an outstanding Police Officer and exceptional human being. He was a role model to the youth in our City, including our own WPD Cadets and known well for his time in the boxing ring and on the basketball court. Most importantly, Sgt. Leto was a husband and proud father.”

“As we collectively mourn this tremendous loss and prepare for Sgt Leto’s services, I have issued an order that flags at all municipal buildings and public spaces be flown at half-staff until further notice. Please keep Derrick’s family and the entire WPD in your thoughts as we enter the weekend and the long weeks ahead.”

Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Thursday, March 23rd from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 24th at 10AM in St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton Street, Worcester (go directly to the church). Burial with Military Honors will conclude at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave., Paxton.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was just launched and a fund was recently created for Leto’s wife and two children.

Checks made payable to: Worcester Police Officials IBPO Local 504 c/o Sgt. Derrick Leto Memorial Fund Worcester Police Department Federal Credit Union, 805 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA 01606.

A cause of death for Leto has not been released.