Chief Northampton court officer Franklyn Torres killed in motorcycle crash
NORTHAMPTON MA March 29 2021 — Friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of Franklyn Torres, the chief court officer at the Northampton Court Complex, who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Springfield Thursday night, according to multiple sources. He was 40 years old.
Torres, a husband and father and Springfield resident, worked for the Massachusetts Trial Court since 2001 and has been chief court officer in Northampton since 2018. Before that, he worked at Holyoke District Court and at the Springfield Hall of Justice, now the the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse.
“The whole Northampton courthouse and especially the court officers are grieving the loss of a great man,” said Judge Maureen Walsh, the first justice of the Northampton District Court.
In addition to being colleagues, having first worked with him in Holyoke District Court, Walsh shared that she and Torres were friends.
“I viewed him like a little brother,” said Walsh, who shared how she would help Torres buy gift cards that he would pass out to those who looked to be in need during the Christmas season.
Additionally, she said that after a recent snowstorm, Torres reached out and offered to shovel her driveway, as he was doing for elderly people, although he was careful to note that he didn’t think the judge was elderly.
In addition calling him a terrific chief, Walsh praised Torres as a good father. “His family was everything to him,” she said.
Others who worked with Torres in the Northampton courthouse said they were shocked and grief-stricken by the news of his death.
“No one really can believe it,” said Assistant Chief Court Officer Mark Skora, in describing the mood in the building Friday. “The air in the court is very thick and sad.”
Skora described Torres as an excellent leader, mentor and friend, who was kind and fair.
“He had more knowledge than people twice his age,” he said.
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan described Torres as a “true gentleman” and said that “he always treated people very fairly.”
“What a tremendous loss for the justice community,” Sullivan said.
Melissa Doran, first assistant clerk of Hampshire Superior Court, described Torres as “phenomenal” and said that he was great at his job.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Doran said. “I think everyone here is just very sad.”
Trial Court Security Director Jeffrey Morrow also released a statement Friday.
“Chief Court Officer Torres was an outstanding person and a strong leader. His loss will be felt by the Trial Court Security Department and by everyone he worked with for a long time,” he said.
A vigil for Torres will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. at 510 Parker St. in Springfield, the site of the crash, according to Brooke Roberson, a family friend. A GoFundMe has also been set up to benefit his family at https://gofund.me/95b67fd9.
