BOSTON, Mass. (Court TV) — In a dramatic culmination of events, Michael Proctor has been fired from the Massachusetts State Police following a three-day disciplinary hearing that brought his actions during the Karen Read murder investigation under intense scrutiny.
The decision, announced on March 19, 2025, by Col. Geoffrey Noble, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, comes after Proctor was found guilty of unsatisfactory performance and misconduct stemming from offensive text messages about Karen Read, who is accused of murdering her boyfriend, John O'Keefe. The closed hearings, which took place over several months, centered on Proctor’s conduct as the lead investigator in a case that sparked significant public attention.
Read, 45, is alleged to have hit O'Keefe with her SUV on January 29, 2022, and left him to succumb to the elements after a night of drinking. Her case initially led to a mistrial in July 2024, and the ongoing conditions surrounding her investigation faced criticism, particularly with Proctor's active involvement.
During the hearings, it was revealed that Proctor sent derogatory messages about Read, describing her in inappropriate terms that included calling her a "whack job" and other crude remarks shared with friends and colleagues. Proctor himself admitted that these messages were unprofessional and expressed regret over them. He stated, "I deeply regret my comments during the trial, which were not representative of my professional character."
In a written statement following the trial board's decision, Col. Noble outlined the rationale for Proctor's termination, emphasizing the significance of trust and professionalism within the state police. "Our mission to deliver the highest level of police services depends on the public's trust in our professionalism and integrity. It is incumbent upon me to hold one another accountable when any member compromises our mission by failing to uphold our values," he said.
In addition to the unsatisfactory performance charges, Proctor also faced severe scrutiny for alleged misconduct involving the misuse of alcoholic beverages. The trial board specifically noted that Proctor had consumed alcohol while on duty, a severe violation of policies meant to maintain integrity in police work. An incident from July 2022 was cited as he reportedly consumed alcohol during a dinner while on duty before operating his department cruiser.
Following the news of his termination, Proctor's family expressed great disappointment in the ruling, asserting that he had an unblemished 12-year record of service. They claimed that the trial board exploited one of their own, and that a trooper should not face such scrutiny without just cause. In their statement, they said, "We are truly disappointed with the trial board’s decision as it lacks precedent, and unfairly exploits and scapegoats one of their own… The messages prove one thing: that Michael is human—not corrupt, not incompetent in his role as a homicide detective, and certainly not unfit to continue as a state trooper."
The impact of Proctor’s actions extends beyond his employment status; potential ramifications are echoing in other ongoing investigations. For instance, Brian Walshe, accused of murdering his missing wife Ana Walshe, has been seeking access to internal records and communications involving Proctor, claiming those communications could significantly affect his case.
As the proceedings unfold, the attention will also return to Karen Read, whose retrial is set to begin on April 1, 2025. Read's defense team has claimed that she is a victim of a cover-up, alleging law enforcement corruption and asserting that evidence is being manipulated against her. The upcoming retrial sets the stage for renewed deliberation surrounding O'Keefe's death, and the integrity of the investigation that led to Read’s original charges.
The Massachusetts State Police maintains that the integrity of their investigations must be upheld, and the firing of Proctor underscores this commitment. Col. Noble reiterated his condolences to O'Keefe's family during the announcement of Proctor's termination, emphasizing the emotional toll this case has taken on all involved.
Proctor has the right to appeal the decision to the Civil Service Commission, but officials believe the evidence against him is substantial enough to uphold Col. Noble's decision.
As for Karen Read, her fate remains uncertain, with significant public interest resting on how these developments will sway her retrial and whether the revelations regarding Proctor will influence the perceptions of her defense strategy.
Ultimately, this case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding law enforcement accountability and the challenges the justice system faces in maintaining integrity while under intense scrutiny from both the public and within its ranks.
