Waltham Cop Who Saved Woman On Cape Cod Killed At Police Detail

YARMOUTH, MA — Police across Cape Cod are mourning the death of veteran Waltham police officer Paul Tracey.

Tracey died on Wednesday while working a police detail in Waltham, along with a National Grid employee. Two other National Grid workers were injured.

His death carries extra weight on Cape Cod, as residents and law enforcement remember interacting with him as he was busy saving a life.

Read more: Off-Duty Waltham Police Officer Saves Woman From Overdose On Cape

Tracey was on vacation with his family at Riviera Beach Resort in South Yarmouth in 2018. On a Friday evening, his sister Maureen saw a woman who didn't look like she was moving.

Tracey and his cousin Cindy, a recently retired nurse, went over to the woman who they found was not breathing. They began CPR while nearby beach-goers called 911 and Tracey’s brother ran to find a defibrillator.

Yarmouth first responders administered Narcan, and the woman was revived and rushed to the hospital.

In Wellfleet, the department remembered Tracey for his heroic actions on the Cape in 2018.

"Our hearts are heavy this morning, grieving the loss of Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and the National Grid worker who was also killed in last evening's tragic crash at a construction detail," Wellfleet police officials said.

"Officer Tracey was a Cape visitor and vacationer, and was recognized in 2018 for helping to save the life of a woman on a Yarmouth beach while on vacation."

Then-Gov. Charlie Baker presented Tracey with a citation for his actions at the Massachusetts State House in 2018, and doctors and first responders credited his quick action for saving the woman's life.

Others on Cape Cod have issued their own statements in solidarity with Waltham police and Tracey's family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Waltham MA Police Department for the loss of one of their own tonight. We also extend our prayers to the National Grid workers who were injured during the incident," Barnstable police said.

One Person Charged With Manslaughter

One man from New Hampshire is in custody, charged with manslaughter for the crash and armed robbery for pulling a knife on a Waltham police officer before stealing his cruiser, officials said.

At about 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Peter Simon, 54 of Woodsville, New Hampshire was operating a pickup truck eastbound on Totten Pond Road in Waltham when he pulled to the side of the road and suddenly turned back into the roadway in an attempt to execute a U-turn, the Middlesex District Attorney said.

He struck a vehicle traveling eastbound, then continued driving forward for approximately a quarter mile before fatally striking Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58, of Waltham and the utility worker, a 36-year-old Cambridge man.

Read more: Waltham Police Officer, National Grid Worker Dead After Crash

Tracey was working a police detail at a National Grid work site at the time of the crash. In addition to the 36-year-old worker, two other National Grid employees were injured. One of those employees was also transported to the hospital where he was treated and released, officials said.

After striking the victims the suspect continued on, striking multiple other vehicles before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot. The suspect encountered another Waltham officer who had responded to the scene, and allegedly pulled a knife on the officer before stealing his police cruiser and again fleeing, officials said.

The suspect crashed the cruiser on Winter Street, and fled once again. He was apprehended and arrested by a Waltham Police Officer after a brief foot chase.

Simon has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and armed robbery.

With reporting from Jenna Fisher.