Fallen Westfield Officer Jose Torres remembered as friend, dedicated officer

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Westfield police officer who was killed after being hit by a truck while he was working a construction detail, has been identified as Jose Torres, a decorated 27-year veteran police officer.

Torres, a husband and father of two, was described by longtime friend Capt. Hipolito Nunez as someone who "always saw everything positive."

“He was a dedicated family man, leaving behind his best friend and wife Kara, as well as his two boys, which he loved dearly,” Nunez said during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Nunez choked back tears as he talked about his co-worker, a friend since childhood.

"His best friend was his family and his children, he was dedicated to them, and loved them dearly.  He loved coming to work, he loved being a police officer he loved helping people. and truly that was his passion; helping people and being a part of their lives and making it better."

Olga Gonzalez, a friend of Officer Torres, expressed sorrow at the loss of someone to whom she was so close.

"We're a good family, everyone here in Westfield knows each other. He was like a nephew to me and he's going to be greatly lost, greatly lost," Gonzalez said.

Funeral arrangements will be made public once they have been finalized.

Torres was assigned to the patrol division, and worked the 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. shift.