As he fights to get his job back, former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor is revealing more about the events that led up to his firing in March for misconduct in the Karen Read investigation.
Proctor has appealed his termination to the Civil Service Commission, which will begin hearings on the appeal next week.
MassLive obtained hundreds of pages of documents filed by lawyers for Proctor and the state police with the Civil Service Commission through a public records request.
Below is a timeline of events detailed in legal documents and emails:
Jan. 29, 2022
Proctor is assigned as the case officer for the investigation into the death of John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer found on the front lawn of the Canton home of a fellow officer during a snowstorm.
Between Jan. 29, 2022, and June 9, 2022, Proctor sent text messages to a group of friends from high school where he described Read, who would eventually be charged with O’Keefe’s killing, as a “whack job [expletive]” and said she “leaks poo.”
But Proctor also shared details of his investigation in the group chat. He told his friends the homeowner wouldn’t “catch [expletive]” because he was a Boston cop, adding that “there will be some serious charges brought on the girl,” meaning Read.
“Zero chance she skates. She’s (expletive),” Proctor added.
Feb. 1, 2024
Proctor is called to testify before a federal grand jury in February 2024, just months before Read’s trial was set to begin. His lawyers say that is the first time he was confronted with text messages from his personal cell phone. Before that date, Proctor was not aware that federal prosecutors had obtained them.
The same day, Proctor notified his supervisor, Detective Lt. Brian Tully, of the messages and their contents.
Feb. 2, 2024
Tully, who at the time oversaw the state police detective unit assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, notifies his superior, Maj. Leonard Coppenrath, of the messages.
Tully was later reassigned in October 2024 to a temporary assignment in the state police Division of Investigative Services.
Feb. 8, 2024
Proctor meets with State Police General Counsel Jennifer Staples, Deputy General Counsel Siobhan Kelly and Coppenrath. He again tells them about the existence and content of the messages in possession of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
March 4, 2024
Proctor is notified for the first time that he is the subject of an internal affairs investigation by state police.
April 8, 2024
Proctor attends an interview with state police captains Eric Benson and Jorge Berrios, two members of the Office of Professional Integrity and Accountability. They discuss the “nature and scope of his communications with certain individuals as it related to alleged Bias in the investigation of John O’Keefe’s death,” according to a civil service filing.
June 10, 2024
Proctor begins his testimony at the first Read trial. A Norfolk County prosecutor has him read the text messages during his direct examination.
A defense lawyer for Read begins, but does not finish, his cross-examination of Proctor.
June 12, 2024
Proctor continues his testimony at the Read trial, under cross-examination from her lead defense lawyer, Alan Jackson.
July 1, 2024
A judge declares a mistrial in the Read case. Hours later, state police announce Proctor has been relieved of duty.
July 8, 2024
Proctor is suspended without pay by state police, following a duty status hearing.
Aug. 15, 2024
State Police Lt. Colonel Robert Schumaker issues the first of two letters recommending Proctor be fired.
Oct. 29, 2024
Schumaker issues a second letter recommending that Proctor be fired.
Jan. 15, 2025
A State Police Trial Board convenes to begin hearings on Proctor’s case.
Feb. 10, 2025
The trial board convenes for a second day to hear additional testimony on Proctor’s case.
March 13, 2025
The trial board holds a third and final day of hearings on Proctor’s case.
March 19, 2025
State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble accepts the trial board’s recommendation to fire Proctor.
The board finds Proctor guilty of violating two State Police regulations: unsatisfactory performance and alcoholic beverages.
The unsatisfactory performance charge is directly tied to the Read investigation. The trial board found Proctor sent “derogatory, defamatory, disparaging and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages” about Read to other individuals.
The board also found that Proctor provided “sensitive and/or confidential information” about Read, potential witnesses, and/or potential investigative steps in the case to non-law enforcement personnel.
The alcoholic beverages violation is tied to a cold case investigation on Cape Cod, during which Proctor and a Canton police detective got drinks.
March 27, 2025
Proctor files his appeal of his termination with the Civil Service Commission.
May 6, 2025
The Civil Service Commission holds a pre-hearing conference on Proctor’s appeal.
July 8, 2025
A second pre-hearing conference is held before the Civil Service Commission.
Aug. 4, 2025
The commission holds a third pre-hearing conference on Proctor’s appeal. The in-person hearing is split into two parts, with the just cause portion to be heard in late August and Proctor’s disparate treatment appeal to be heard in late October.
More coverage of Michael Proctor
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