State Trooper Dragged During Traffic Stop

By James Morefield –

Early Wednesday night around 4 p.m. a State Trooper assigned to the Belchertown barracks was on Rt. 32 southbound in Ware when they pulled over a vehicle for a license plate violation.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Joseph Hurlburt, 24, of Enfield, CT. and had multiple outstanding warrants.

As the Trooper attempted to remove Hurlburt from the vehicle, Hurlburt started to drive forward and then accelerated at a high rate of speed dragging the Trooper about thirty feet before coming to a stop and causing the Trooper to fall.

Hurlburt fled the area however a BOLO was put out for him and he was located by the Ware Police around 2 a.m. Thursday morning and placed under arrest.

Ware Police arrested Hurlburt for the outstanding warrants as well as additional charges filed by their department. Mass State Police has forwarded a summons to Eastern Hampshire District Court charging Hurlburt with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, A&B dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, number plate violation and marked lanes violation.