Retired R.I. state trooper, security for Beyoncé dies after crash in Mass.
North Attleborough Massachusetts October 16, 2023
A retired Rhode Island state trooper and personal security for Beyoncé died a few weeks after a crash in Massachusetts.
James E. Griffin Jr., 61, of Providence, Rhode Island, died Friday, Oct. 6, from injuries in a recent crash, according to his obituary. The crash involved three vehicles on Interstate 95 on Aug. 28 near exit 7 in North Attleborough, according to WJAR.
All northbound lanes were closed after the crash.
A 50-year-old man who was driving a Buick Lacrosse southbound struck a Cadillac Escalade and caused it to veer off the road, go through the median, and collide with the Jaguar XJ on the northbound side of the highway, according to Massachusetts State Police.
Griffin had been driving the Cadillac.
The man in the Jaguar, Randall Ricketts, 58, of Foxborough, also died.
Police said the Buick driver, later identified as Joseph Pompei Jr., 50, of Cranston, Rhode Island, fled the scene.
However, the Buick was damaged and later located in Attleboro. He was then arrested and faces charges, including motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and leaving the scene of a crash.
“Jimmy’s family and friends would like to give special thanks to the many police officers, firefighters and rescue workers who responded to the crash scene, as well as the healthcare providers at Rhode Island Hospital for the exceptional compassion and care provided to Jimmy following this tragedy,” the obituary read. “We are all profoundly grateful.”
He was part of the Rhode Island State Police for 17 years. A job-related back injury forced him to retire in 1996 and he joined the Blackwater international private military firm, where he was assigned to the security team responsible for protecting former U.S. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, who was overseeing the reconstruction of the war-torn Iraqi government following the U.S. invasion there in 2003.
Later, he provided personal security for the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia for seven years. And he eventually formed his own private security company, providing personal protection for numerous high-profile hip-hop, R&B and rap artists, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Drake.
“His death is a tremendous loss for all of those who loved him, and he will be dearly missed in the days and years to come,” the obituary read.
