KITTERY, Maine — First responders gathered along the Maine Turnpike Thursday morning to honor Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek of the Biddeford Police Department, who died in a crash on his way home from his shift.
The two-vehicle crash happened around 1 a.m. Thursday in the southbound lanes on the Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine and New Hampshire, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a press release.
Moss said an initial investigation by Maine State Police indicates traffic had stopped on the Maine-New Hampshire border due to a crash that had happened in New Hampshire. A box truck was stopped in traffic on the Maine side of the bridge when a Toyota Camry driven by Wolterbeek crashed into the rear of the box truck, according to Moss
Wolterbreek died at the scene. He was on his way back to his home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, at the time of the crash, Moss said.
The crash remains under investigation by Maine State Police.
Wolterbeek, an 18-year veteran of the department, leaves behind his wife and three young children, Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said in a press release.
"Sergeant Wolterbeek was a respected member of the Biddeford Police Department and a valued City employee," Fisk said.
Two Westbrook police officers, Brett Bissonnette and Henry Johnson, attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy with Wolterbeek in 2006. They spent 18 weeks living together Monday through Friday and training to become police officers.
"We end up [having] a pretty tight bond with all the officers," Bissonnette told NEWS CENTER Maine. "It's very similar to the military as we go to class together, we eat together, we bond together, we share stories together, we laugh at each other's mistakes, and we appreciate everybody's—the good things that they do."
Johnson remembers being paired with Wolterbeek for a week during the academy.
"I remember he was very motivated. Like, determined. Wanted to get out there and hit the ground running," Johnson said. "And to serve, in that capacity—I think that just says all you need to know about some of his character with the willingness to do that."
"An emotional day for anyone," he added. "Any time you lose an officer, it's, you know. Especially for their family. But for me, it's like one big brotherhood. So it's a loss felt by all."
From Ogunquit to Augusta, first responders gathered on Maine Turnpike overpasses Thursday morning as a police procession took Wolterbreek's body to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The southbound lanes on the Piscataqua River Bridge were shut down for several hours Thursday morning.
Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman told NEWS CENTER Maine the loss of Wolterbeek leaves a void in the city where we was more than just a police officer – he was dedicated community member who made a lasting impact.
"He was one of the officers who would do the details for down town events," Grohman said. "He was very involved in the community, just [a]wonderful guy and always stepped up and did the extra thing."
Biddeford police said details about services would be shared as they become available.