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Boston police officer’s family speaks out after his death, girlfriend’s court appearance

"When John’s sister passed away, and then her husband did as well a short time later, John welcomed the opportunity to raise his beloved niece and nephew and build a home and a life around their needs."

By Arianna MacNeill

February 3, 2022

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The family of John O’Keefe, the Boston police officer who died this past weekend, is speaking out, describing him as an “exemplary” family member.

O’Keefe, 46, was off-duty when he was found unresponsive in the cold Saturday morning outside a home in Canton.

His girlfriend of two years, Karen Read, 41, is facing a variety of charges related to allegedly striking him with her vehicle and leaving him there injured. These include manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing death. Read appeared in Stoughton District Court Wednesday, and she was released after posting $50,000 bail.

Read pleaded not guilty and has said that she may have unknowingly struck her boyfriend while dropping him off at the home.

In their statement, O’Keefe’s family described how he raised his niece and nephew after his sister and her husband passed away within a short time of each other.

“People talk about someone who would give you the shirt off their back but that was truly who John was, and it is heartbreaking for us to suddenly be talking about him in the past tense,” the statement said.

Read the full statement:

John was not only a dedicated police officer, he was an exemplary guardian, son, brother, uncle and friend and we were so fortunate to have him as a part of our lives.

When John’s sister passed away, and then her husband did as well a short time later, John welcomed the opportunity to raise his beloved niece and nephew and build a home and a life around their needs. People talk about someone who would give you the shirt off their back but that was truly who John was, and it is heartbreaking for us to suddenly be talking about him in the past tense.

We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received but we ask for privacy at this time, and will have nothing further to say, as we mourn this unbearable loss.