Sean Collier

Officer Collier, your joy was a gift to so many, and your commitment a stellar example. You were a blessing to us all, and you will be sorely missed.

May you rest in eternal peace!

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam

And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world

But then it flies again and though we wish it could have stayed...

We feel lucky to have seen it.

Thank you Officer Collier! You will be missed!

God bless Sean and his family. We love you!

Thank you so much for keeping all of us here safe at MIT. The past, present, and future generations of MIT will never forget you. RIP.

The MIT Police havevalways been there for my colleagues and me. It's sad to think that my husband likely passed Officer Collier on his way out of the Stata garage at 9:30 PM on that horrible night, or how many times we may have seen him on any typical day. I don't know. It's an unmeasurable loss to MIT, his brother officers, his friends, and his family. I am so sorry that we've lost him.

My heartfelt condolences to the Collier family and my deepest gratitude to him for his commitment to protect us

We all send our deepest condolences and sympathies for Officer Collier's family and many friends. He was a brave and generous person.

Dear Sean: Thank you for your selflessness and courage. We are inspired by your actions and will be forever grateful for your heroism. God bless you.

Yes! a youth--unripe yet for the bier,
Gathered in the spring-time of his days,
Thrilling yet with pulses strong and clear,
With the flame that in his bright eye plays--
Yes, a son--the idol of his mother,
(Oh, her mournful sigh shows that too well!)
Yes! my bosom-friend,--alas my brother!--
Up! each man the sad procession swell!

With deepest condolences on the loss of your brother Sean.

To Officer Sean's family, fellow officers, and friends.

MIT is fortunate to have such dedicated professionals who serve and protect our community and make it the best place to work, learn, and live. We thank Sean for his service. I hope the outpouring of condolences and other signs of deep respect for him and for you will be of some comfort in the days ahead. The note below that I sent to my students and others illustrates how Sean's loss will be mourned and remembered by all of us in the days ahead. May this be a lesson for all the world to see and learn.

Tom Kochan

Today, and in the days ahead, we will come together to give new meaning to President Reif’s call to be “One MIT.” The many comments of students who had gotten to know Officer Sean as a friend, peer, and respected professional are heart-warming and a tribute to him and to our community of one culture. By celebrating it as we grieve for Sean, his family, and for MIT we might just demonstrate the spirit of solidarity so badly needed in other parts of our society.