Services planned for Haverhill police officer who died ‘unexpectedly’

The funeral for a Haverhill police officer who died “unexpectedly” Sept. 26 will be held Friday, according to her obituary. 

Katelyn Tully, 32, began her career in law enforcement at the Haverhill Police Department, and served on both the Police and Military Honor Guards, the obituary says. 

Tully, a decorated army veteran who served in Afghanistan for six months, will be buried with military honors. 

In the obituary, the Haverhill Police Department described Tully as “a dedicated officer whose presence left a lasting impact on everyone she served beside.”

“She was more than a colleague; she was family,” the department said. “She was caring, considerate, and compassionate qualities that defined her both in and out of uniform. Whether offering a listening ear, lending a helping hand, or leading with empathy, she embodied everything we hoped for in an exceptional officer.”

Local news station WHAV reported that Haverhill police station’s flags were at half-staff and memorial buntings were hung over the station’s entrance.

A photo from the outlet showed a police cruiser adorned with flowers and a blue and black bunting outside of the station.

Tully valued uplifting women in law enforcement, the obituary said, and she was planning to further her career into behavioral and mental health advocacy.

Tully’s family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at Nichols Funeral Home on Oct. 2 from 3 to 8 p.m. 

A Christian Mass will be held at St. Thomas of Villanova Church at 11 a.m. on Oct. 3, with a burial with military honors following at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington, according to the obituary. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or online, according to the obituary.

Haverhill Chief of Police Robert P. Pistone Jr. said in a Facebook statement Sept. 26 that the death of a police officer is under investigation by the Essex County District Attorney’s office, but there did not appear to be foul play. Pistone did not identify the officer. 

The DA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mayor Melinda E. Barrett gave condolences to Haverhill police regarding the unnamed deceased officer in a statement Friday.

“This is a tragic loss, and on behalf of the City of Haverhill, I want to extend our deepest sympathy to the officer’s family, friends, fellow officers and loved ones,” Barrett said.