Westfield community mourns the loss of Officer Torres

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The entire Westfield community is in mourning, as well as the Westfield P-D, for the loss of Officer Jose Torres.

A purple banner on Westfield Police Department headquarters is in honor of Officer Torres, as well as a police procession; even roses were left on the headquarter steps.

Westfield is a close knit community and Officer Torres has been part of it his entire life. Raised in Westfield, and then raised his family in Westfield.

As people were coming home from work, 22News went to the Tavern Restaurant to find out how the community is dealing with this loss.

Jim Stefano of Springfield told 22News, “He was directing traffic, he probably had plans with his kids and it's all over, very sad.”

“It breaks your heart,” said Terri Hathaway of Westfield. “You just think of your family and you just never know when they leave the house in the morning if they're coming home.”

Officer Torres will be remembered by his brothers and sisters on the Westfield police force as a decorated police officer who served 27-years for this city, but above all he will be remembered as a family man.

According to Westfield Police Capt. Hipolito Nunez, “His best friend was his family and his children he was dedicated to them and loved them dearly.”

Officer Torres is survived by his wife, two children and a large portion of the Westfield community.

Jim Avery of Westfield said, “It’s a very tough loss, anytime you lose someone involved in the community it hurts the community. Hopefully the community will rally together and support his family, it's the best thing that we can do.”

Westfield's mayor told 22News, he expects to announce finalized funeral arrangements for Officer Torres Friday.