Boxing Training Suspended At MA Police Academy After Recruit's Death

WORCESTER, MA — Massachusetts State Police have suspended full-contact boxing training for recruits after the death of a trainee from Worcester earlier this month, the Associated Press reported Monday, citing a police spokesperson.

Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, died one day after the Sept. 12 training session in New Braintree during which he was hit and injured and became unresponsive, his mother told reporters with NBC10 Boston and Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra, according to The Associated Press.

Delgado-Garcia was wearing boxing gloves and headgear during the exercise, police told the outlet. But according to his family, his injuries included broken teeth and a neck fracture.

"Trooper Delgado-Garcia served with the Massachusetts State Police for one day," according to a tribute on the Officer Down Memorial Page. "He was a member of the 90th Recruit Training Troop. He is survived by his mother and father."

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said in a news conference last week that Delgado-Garcia was also a "dedicated victim witness advocate" with his office for a year and a half before leaving for the Massachusetts State Police Academy in April. He was set to graduate in October.

"Enrique constantly worked to make life better for others," Early said, in part. "He was one of the first ones to help."

Massachusetts' governor Maura Healey issued a statement Sept. 14 saying that she is "heartbroken" and that she and her office are "holding Enrique's family and his State Police community in [their] hearts."

Delgado-Garcia "had committed himself to a career protecting the people of Massachusetts," Healey said.

She continued: "He was a beloved member of his academy class, known for his compassion and devotion to service. This is a devastating time for all who knew and loved him."

The Worcester County District Attorney's Office has been assigned to investigate Delgado-Garcia's death, but the investigation will be handed off because the office cannot be impartial due to its connection with Delgado-Garcia, Early said last week.

Early added that he spoke with "four different entities in the state" about taking over the investigation but that his office will continue to investigate until the reassignment is made.