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Charged With Stealing a Bobcat: Mass Trooper Still Collecting Pay
Massachusetts State Trooper Suspended After Being Charged With Stealing a Bobcat Excavator
What Happened?
A Massachusetts State Police trooper named Joseph Franklin has been suspended with pay after he was criminally charged for allegedly stealing a Bobcat excavator (a type of construction machine) from a contractor.
The Story in Simple Terms
Imagine you hire someone to clean up trees after a big storm. You pay them $11,000. But the work doesn’t get finished. You get upset and decide to keep their expensive machine until they finish the job or give your money back.
That’s basically what Trooper Franklin is accused of doing — except he’s a police officer who should know better.
Key Details You Should Know
The Incident
- Who: Trooper Joseph Franklin, Massachusetts State Police
- What: Allegedly stole a Bobcat T-190 loader (worth over $1,200)
- Where: Western Massachusetts (Palmer area)
- Why: Claimed a contractor didn’t complete tree cleanup work after a severe thunderstorm
- Payment: Franklin says he paid the contractor $11,000
What the Police Sergeant Told Him
Sergeant Jeremy Haley (Palmer Police) explained to Franklin:
- You cannot hold someone’s property without a court order
- Doing so is larceny (theft)
- As a state trooper, he should know this — it’s taught at the police academy
Franklin’s Reaction
- Kept asking if he’d be criminally charged
- Requested officers turn off body cameras because "it would look bad for him to be removing the Bobcat in uniform"
- Police refused — policy requires cameras on during interactions
- Eventually returned the Bobcat after being threatened with a search warrant
Timeline of Events
- Storm damage → Contractor hired for $11,000 to clean up trees
- Work not completed → Franklin keeps contractor’s Bobcat as "collateral" (on attorney’s advice)
- Police called → Sergeant Haley explains this is larceny
- Search warrant threatened → Franklin agrees to return Bobcat
- Clerk magistrate hearing (early July) → Criminal charges filed
- July 9 → Suspended with pay by Mass State Police
- Mid-July → Arraignment in Palmer District Court → Pleads not guilty
- Released on personal recognizance (no bail needed)
- POST Commission suspends his law enforcement certification
Important Points
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Suspended with pay means he still gets his salary while investigation continues
- Two criminal charges: Larceny over $1,200 + Intimidating a witness/juror/police/court official
- POST Commission (Peace Officer Standards and Training) revoked his certification — he must surrender badge, gun, uniform, cruiser, taser, pepper spray, etc.
- His 2025 pay: ~$95,000 total ($82,558 base + $8,269 overtime + $4,000 other)
- His 2026 pay so far: ~$63,846
Not an Isolated Incident
This comes after another trooper made headlines for the wrong reasons:
- Trooper Christopher Regan — suspended with pay after allegedly punching a fellow trooper at a Quincy bar
- Video went viral
- Both troopers worked in the elite SPDU unit (Suffolk DA’s office) — removed from that duty
- Regan’s clerk magistrate hearing will be public in August (usually these are private) because the Boston Herald requested it
Summary
| Trooper | Allegation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Franklin | Stole Bobcat excavator from contractor | Suspended with pay, certification revoked, pleaded not guilty |
| Christopher Regan | Assaulted fellow trooper at bar | Suspended with pay, public hearing scheduled |
Bottom line: Two state troopers in trouble within weeks of each other. Both suspended with pay while facing criminal charges. Both lost their law enforcement certifications.
FAQ
1. What does "suspended with pay" mean?
It means the trooper is not working but still gets their full salary. It’s standard procedure during investigations — not a punishment, just a pause while things get sorted out.
2. Why did the POST Commission revoke Franklin’s certification?
The commission cited "evidence that the Respondent engaged or may have engaged in criminal conduct." They ordered him to immediately surrender all police gear: badge, gun, uniform, cruiser, taser, pepper spray, etc.
3. What is a Bobcat T-190 loader?
It’s a compact track loader — a small construction machine used for digging, lifting, and moving materials. Think of it like a mini bulldozer on tracks. They cost tens of thousands of dollars.
4. Why did Franklin ask officers to turn off body cameras?
He said "it would look bad for him to be removing the Bobcat in uniform." Police refused — their policy requires cameras on during all interactions.
5. What happens next for Franklin?
- Criminal case continues in Palmer District Court
- He’s presumed innocent until proven guilty
- Internal State Police investigation continues
- POST Commission revocation means he cannot work as a police officer in Massachusetts unless certification is restored
Source: Boston Herald reporting (June–July 2026)
