Trooper’s dad marks a somber Father’s Day, recalls a ‘wonderful son’

“Happy Father’s Day, All our love, ’’ David Weddleton, 73, read during a phone interview from his Brewster home.

“He must have sent it Thursday,’’ Weddleton said. Hours later, the son Weddleton yesterday described as a “super kid’’ was gone.

At about 1:30 a.m. Friday, Weddleton stopped Kenneth Weiand, 43, of Walpole, a state probation worker, in his Acura on Interstate 95 in Mansfield and began talking to him when a Ford truck slammed into the car. Weddleton was dragged across three lanes of the highway and killed.

The Father’s Day card was signed by Douglas Weddleton’s own four sons — Steven, 26; Mark, 23; Ross, 18; and Matt, 14 — and by him and his wife, Judith.

Douglas Weddleton will be remembered at a funeral Mass Wednesday morning at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Brockton. Police officers from across the nation are expected to at tend, according to a State Police spokesman.

“Sergeant Weddleton will be buried with full ceremony honors as befitting a trooper killed in the line of duty,’’ said the spokesman, David Procopio. “It will be a hero’s sendoff.’’

The driver of the truck, Anthony Perry, 45, a carpenter who lives in Hyde Park, was arraigned in Attleboro District Court Friday morning on charges including negligent motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence of alcohol. Weiand was arraigned in the same court Friday morning on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Both men pleaded not guilty.

Perry posted bail Friday and is due back in court July 23.

Weiand was ordered held pending a mental health evaluation after he allegedly told authorities he did not know what he would do to “[my family] or to myself’’ if released. He is scheduled to appear today in Attleboro District Court, where he will probably speak with a court-appointed doctor, followed by a “mini-hearing in open court,’’ wrote Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the Bristol district attorney’s office, in an e-mail.

A bail hearing will follow if it is determined that Weiand has no mental health problems, according to Miliote.

Weiand’s attorney, Jack Diamond, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Perry’s attorney, Robert J. Galibois, said Friday that felony charges will not stand against his client, because his blood alcohol level was below the state limit when the crash occurred.

But prosecutors said they are basing the drunken driving charge on Perry’s alleged appearance and actions after the crash, including trouble maintaining his balance.

Yesterday, Galibois said multiple people who were in the area when the accident occurred have contacted him to offer their version of events.

Galibois would not comment on what those people have shared but said they are potential witnesses if they could help his client, should the case go to trial.

Three troopers standing in front of Douglas Weddleton’s Brockton home yesterday said his family was not available for an interview. At least five vehicles were parked in the circular driveway of the modest light-colored home. A basketball hoop stood at one side of the driveway.

David Weddleton said yesterday his son often visited him on the Cape with his family.

“He was a wonderful son, the best,’’ Weddleton said. “He was a great family guy. He was terrific. I couldn’t ask for anything better.’’

David Weddleton added that one well-wisher captured his feelings in a sympathy card.

“Somebody wrote, ‘He’ll always be in your heart,’ which is true,’’ Weddleton said.

Travis Andersen can be reached at tandersen@globe.com.