Ray was without question a professional through and through. He gave 100 percent to this department, this community and the people he worked beside every day.
When BSU Deputy Police Chief Michael Froio puts on his duty belt before work, he secures an especially meaningful leather strap.
The strap, called a belt keeper, was once worn by his mentor, Lt. Raymond Wise. Wise passed away in 2004 and was recently remembered by Bridgewater State with the naming of a road in his honor.
“Every time I put on my duty belt and fasten that keeper, I’m reminded of his legacy and integrity – the kind of officer and man we all respected,” Froio said, adding: “Ray was without question a professional through and through. He gave 100 percent to this department, this community and the people he worked beside every day.”
Now, every officer will feel a connection to Wise when they drive on the newly named Lt. Raymond D. Wise Memorial Drive to access the police station. Dozens of police officers and firefighters from across Massachusetts came to the street dedication ceremony to honor Wise, who passed away from a medical emergency shortly after finishing a shift. His family members removed a black covering to unveil the new street sign.
The street naming is a “deeply meaningful tribute,” Froio said. “It honors not only Lt. Wise’s memory, but also the enduring impact he made on our department and our community and the many lives he touched.”
Wise worked at Bridgewater State for 13 years as a lieutenant, prosecutor, detective, shift sergeant, firearms instructor and EMT. Before joining the campus police, he worked as a municipal police officer in Bridgewater, Whitman and Lakeville and a parking control officer in Bridgewater.
“His roots run deep in our community and his professionalism earned him the respect of his colleagues and citizens throughout this region,” said BSU President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83. “His legacy is a symbol of resilience, dedication, excellence and strength.”
Wise was a family man and a "cop’s cop" who understood that leadership was about connecting with people not giving orders. He respected the badge and held himself and his fellow officers to the highest standards, several speakers recalled.
BSU Police Chief Glen Anderson said: “His influence is woven into the fabric of how we serve, how we treat each other and how we carry ourselves as officers and people.”
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