The lead investigator into the suspected Boston cop killer Karen Read, Michael Proctor, has been fired by Massachusetts State Police after being terminated in a move that his family says unfairly scapegoats him and his team. Read, accused of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, in a hit-and-run and leaving him to die in the street during a snowstorm in January 2022, had a murder trial that ended in a hung jury on July 1, 2024. During the trial, Proctor’s credibility was called into question after rude and lewd text messages he sent about the case were read in court.
Proctor, a 12-year veteran of the force with an unblemished record prior to the Read case, was suspended without pay pending a disciplinary probe, which ultimately led to his termination this week. The internal review found that he had improperly shared sensitive or confidential information about the homicide investigation in addition to the derogatory texts. Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble emphasized the importance of upholding the department’s values of professionalism and integrity in a statement announcing the decision to terminate Proctor.
Despite the controversy surrounding Proctor’s termination, his family has maintained that the messages on his personal phone, which were the basis for his firing, only prove that he is human and not corrupt or incompetent in his role as a homicide detective. His family also emphasized his belief that justice will ultimately be served in the case, expressing gratitude for the support of the union and his colleagues in law enforcement. Proctor’s family also expressed sympathy for the family of Officer John O’Keefe, who continue to deal with the aftermath of his death.
Karen Read and her defense team have insinuated that O’Keefe may have been killed by fellow cops who set up a conspiracy to frame her for the crime. Despite prosecutors naming no other suspects in the case, they plan to take Read back to trial on April 1. O’Keefe’s family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Read. Proctor’s own family has been increasingly speaking out in defense of him as Read continues to give public interviews about the case. The new trial is expected to be led by special assistant prosecutor Hank Brennan, who previously represented mobster James “Whitey” Bulger.
The decision to terminate Proctor following the controversial messages on his personal phone has highlighted the complexities and challenges surrounding the case of Karen Read and the death of Officer John O’Keefe. The case continues to be filled with intrigue and allegations of police misconduct, with both Read and O’Keefe’s families seeking justice and closure. As the legal proceedings move forward, the focus remains on ensuring a fair and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding O’Keefe’s death while upholding the integrity of the law enforcement agencies involved.
