Funeral for Police Officer Paul J. Tracey underway in Waltham church

Hundreds of solemn police officers are standing in long lines outside a Waltham church Friday to participate in the funeral of Waltham Police Officer Paul J. Tracey, who was killed along with National Grid worker Roderick Jackson in a traffic crash[1] last week.

Tracey, 58 and a lifelong Waltham resident, was the father of two children with his wife, Kristin Tracey, who is also a Waltham police officer, assigned to the city's schools. His service is being held at the Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted church, the Tracey family's long-time parish.

"Prior to marrying the love of his life & soulmate Kristin, their lives crossed paths when Paul stopped Kristin for speeding.

Years later their lives would cross paths once again and eventually they married on August 18, 2007," according to Tracey's on-line obituary. "There were many things in life that Paul loved; but nothing in this world was more important to him then family, especially his wife Kristin and his kids Danika and Tyler. He would do anything for them."

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A funeral service for Jackson is planned for Saturday. His mother and other relatives are scheduled to speak with reporters Friday afternoon.

Tracey and Jackson were working on Totten Pond Road Dec.

6 when they were struck by a pickup truck allegedly driven by Peter J. Simon, a 54-year-old New Hampshire man who was twice prosecuted in that state for fleeing from police.

Simon was was ordered held without bail[2] last week at his arraignment in Waltham District Court on two counts of manslaughter and other charges in connection with the crash. He has pleaded not guilty.

This is a developing story.

John R.

Ellement can be reached at [email protected][3].

Follow him @JREbosglobe[4].

References

1. ^ Officer Paul J.

   Tracey, who was killed along with National Grid worker Roderick Jackson in a traffic crash (www.bostonglobe.com)

2. ^ was ordered held without bail (www.bostonglobe.com)
3. ^ [email protected] (www.bostonglobe.com)
4. ^ @JREbosglobe (www.twitter.com)