Off-duty state trooper killed in crash

July 23, 2008 11:00 AM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

An off-duty state trooper was killed early this morning when he hit a tree in Hingham while driving his personal car.

Trooper Gregory K. Porter

Trooper Gregory K. Porter, 33, was the only occupant of his 2000 Hyundai Elantra when it struck a tree at the intersection of Central and Emerald streets at 12:36 a.m. Porter was taken to South Shore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash is under investigation by the Hingham Police Department and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

Porter joined the State Police in 2002 and was assigned to the Norwell Barracks. In a press release announcing the death, the State Police said that Porter had been honored for his role in rescuing a woman trapped in a burning car in Bourne on Feb. 7, 2006. Porter and several other officers pulled the woman from a vehicle that had driven off the road and burst into flames, working amid flames and toxic smoke. They were ultimately able to free the woman seconds before flames filled the driver’s compartment.

“There is a profound sadness among the troops today as we deal with the tragic death of one of our own,” said Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the State Police, in a statement. “During his brief career, Trooper Gregory Porter had distinguished himself with an award for saving lives. On behalf of the entire State Police department, I offer our deepest condolences for Trooper Porter and his family. He will be sorely missed.”

Porter lived in Hingham and leaves his wife and two children; his parents; and three brothers.