Route 6 Interchange Dedicated in Honor of State Trooper Ellen E. Engelhardt
On Tuesday June 23, 2009, the Massachusetts State Police were joined by state officials, including state Senate President Therese Murray, at a ceremony dedicating the Exit 7 Interchange off Route 6 in Yarmouth in honor of Trooper Ellen E. Engelhardt. Among the speakers were State Police Superintendent Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Senate President Murray, and State Representative Cleon Turner of Dennis, who filed the legislation to name the Interchange in Trooper Engelhardt’s honor.
Trooper Engelhardt was severely injured in the line of duty on July 26, 2003 when she was struck by a drunk driver.
“Today we dedicate this intersection, to honor Trooper Ellen Engelhardt and remind our citizens of her service and sacrifice on behalf of the Commonwealth,” said Colonel Delaney (in photo with Trooper Engelhardt’s daughter, Lora Tedeman).
“Trooper Engelhardt defined the role of a Massachusetts State Trooper, and exemplified the very best in our traditions and values.”
Senate President Murray, whose daughter grew up with Trooper Engelhardt’s daughter, spoke of Trooper Engelhardt’s courage and her family’s love and dedication in caring for her. Representative Turner sponsored the bill to name the interchange just off the Mid-Cape Highway at the request of Cape Cod resident Brian Gilmore.
Gilmore and other Cape residents knew Trooper Engelhardt from seeing her directing traffic for several years at the intersection now named in her honor. One of them, Maureen Spencer of South Dennis, was prompted to attend the dedication ceremony by an act of kindness shown her years ago by Trooper Engelhardt. Mrs. Spencer told the Cape Cod Times that one day when her car broke down, Trooper Engelhardt let her sit in her cruiser to stay warm while she waited for her husband to pick her up.
“She made police human for me,” Mrs. Spencer told the newspaper.
During the ceremony, Lieutenant Robert Knott, the current commanding officer of the South Yarmouth State Police barracks, where Trooper Engelhardt was stationed, presented the Trooper’s badge to her daughter, Lora Tedeman. Lieutenant Knott was joined in the presentation by five retired commanders of the barracks, Captain John Bendonis, Lieutenant Thomas Creighton, Lieutenant Robert Sayers, Lieutenant Harry Craig and Lieutenant Richard Kelley.
In addition to many State Troopers, numerous members of Cape Cod municipal police departments attended the ceremony, which was held at the Massachusetts Highway Department yard on Willow Street, a short distance from the Exit 7 ramps. In all, more than 200 people attended the ceremony.