Duxbury officer dies from injuries suffered at fair

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

DUXBURY -- The part-time police officer who died after being hit by a car while directing traffic was described today as a family man and dedicated public servant.

Mel Dyer, 67, was a retired Marine drill instructor who saw combat in Vietnam. He had been a Plymouth County deputy sheriff, a volunteer instructor at the Marshfield Rod and Gun Club, and a special Duxbury police officer.

"He had a great sense of humor," said Chief Mark DeLuca during a press conference at the Duxbury Police Department. "He was very sincere. He was an honorable man. A great guy. A great guy. He is going to be sorely missed, not just by us, buy by society in general."

Dyer died at 10:10 p.m. Monday at Brigham and Women's Hospital, nine days after he was struck by a car while directing traffic at the Marshfield Fair. Police identified the driver of the car that hit him as 26-year-old Kristen Wusteney. She has been cited for motor vehicle homicide, a misdemeanor. Wusteney had been previously cited for speeding, operating negligently, and failure to stop for a police officer.

Asked at the press conference about Wusteney's reaction to the death, Lieutenant Phillip Tavares said: "It's an unfortunate incident for everybody involved. Everybody."

Dyer was struck by a sedan while directing Marshfield Fair traffic on Aug. 16 near the corner of Main and South River streets. He was assisting pedestrians coming from the fair and directing vehicles entering Main Street from various parking lots when he was hit about 10 p.m., police said.

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