Sean Collier

I hadn't met Sean, but he sounds like he was a truly good human being. Love to his family, for creating such a lovely person, and love to the MIT police for being there for all of us at MIT. I am so very sad for your/our loss. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you.

My grief over Officer Collier's death has inevitably turned to anger. Anger at the cowards who ambushed and killed such a great and devoted member of the MIT community.Anger at myself. I find myself wishing that he was never on patrol that night but It gives me solace to know that he swore an oath to protect and serve, something which he truly believed in.The week of April 15th 2013 was the most surreal week which I have ever experienced. I never knew Sean personally but I have seen him around the area encompassing Buildings 56, 66, Stata and Koch. I am ashamed to admit that I was there on the night he died in Building 66 from 9:00pm to 10:30pm. I even smelled the gunfire but I mistook it for something else. Didn't even hear the quick, muffled, cowardly gunshots which silenced a great man. I left early that night (around 10:30pm) through the front of Building 66 that faces Ames St and E25. If I had simply turned around from Ames St. and and walked a little closer into the open courtyard between Buildings 66 and 68 maybe I would have seen his patrol car in disarray at the intersection of Stata, Koch and McGovern. Maybe I could have dialed 911 so he wouldn't have had to bleed out for several minutes. He died a hero's death and very quietly.But his selfless dedication to MIT, the city of Cambridge, and to his Country will echo throughout the ages I love you Sean. I wish I knew you personally. Somerville is proud of you. America is proud of you. And the World will remember you.

I wish I could have met you, and I wish things didn't turn out this way. You seem like such a chill and down to earth guy the truly cared about the safety of our campus. I wish the best for the family.

WHEN ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER IS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY THE ENTIRE POLICE COMMUNITY FEELS THE PAIN REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE WORK. MY SYMPATHIES AND PRAYERS ARE WITH SEAN'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY YOUR MEMORIES OF HIM HELP YOU TO HEEL.

If it was a fair fight... I can assure you the end result would have been different.

- #33

Thank you Collier family for sharing with the MIT community a man that helped enrich the population and provide for its safety. As an alum of MIT, I am grateful to Sean and you, the Collier family, for his generosity, impact, love, and sacrifice in helping protect a community which I hold dear. Thank you.

I have never met this man but my prayers go out to this courageous guy. He died in the line of duty doimg what he was supposed to do. My heart aches when I think about the reality of this. This is a tragedy and those men that did this are sick. For the family of this young heroic boy my heart goes out to you. R.I.P

I am deeply saddened by the Collier family's loss. God Bless

I have been so touched by the stories of Officer Collier. I feel such a sense of loss although I did not personally know him. My condolences to his family and all those who met a lot to him. As a student at MIT in the 70s, I got to know a number of MIT campus patrol officers and always felt they were my friends and protectors. May God bless Officer Collier's family and the MIT community and bring you peace.

Cordelia Price MIT'78

As the mother of an MIT graduate, I am deeply saddened by the Collier family's loss. I am also the morning show dj on Boston radio station 92.5 the River. This morning I got a call at the station from Allen Collier, who said he was on his way to bury his son. Mr. Collier said he had heard a song that we had played called "Hero." I said yes, it was by a band from Martha's Vineyard called Family of the Year. Mr. Collier asked whether I could play it on the River in Sean's memory. I will proudly play it tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m., in tribute to Sean, streaming at www.theriverboston.com. Our hearts go out to the Collier family. Rita Cary, morning show host 92.5 the River.

So very sorry for your loss.

My deepest condolences to the Collier family. Although I did not know Sean, I have read the news accounts about his remarkable life and his tragic death. There is no doubt that he touched and inspired hundreds of members of the MIT community, especially many graduate students, with whom he shared many recreational interests. Sean will no doubt be remembered for how he led his life, the lives he touched, his service to MIT, and his heroic actions to protect and to serve.