An off-duty sergeant with the Randolph Police Department was struck and killed by a train in North Abington Center Sunday night, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.
Sgt. Scott Sherman was hit by a northbound train just before 8 p.m. while trying to cross the North Avenue grade crossing, Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said.
Sherman was pronounced dead at the scene. Sullivan said when Sherman was struck that the crossing gates were down and operating properly, the train was traveling under the 70 mile per hour speed limit, and train operators were sounding the horn.
Sherman is the latest in a growing list of casualties along the MBTA tracks in North Abington. A woman was seriously injured in December when her vehicle stopped on the tracks at the same grade crossing and was struck by a train. Crashes at the Birch Street grade crossing, which is less than 200 yards south, claimed the lives of a recent South Shore Vo-Tech graduate in April 2023 and an Abington High senior in May 2022. Another person was struck and killed by a train a little further south near the Plymouth Street grade crossing in August of 2022.
A study commissioned by the town in 2023 found that there has been more than 30 incidents involving trains striking people or vehicles since service was restored in 1997. Of those incidents, 20 have happened in Abington, and 12 have taken place along a 200-yard stretch between North Avenue and Birch Street.
In each of the incidents, safety gates and crossing signals were operating properly.
Sullivan did not respond to a question whether Transit Police track the number of people who have been struck by trains in North Abington Center. The MBTA has stated in the past that the North Abington grade crossings meet all minimum federal safety standards.
Sherman was a 23-year veteran of the Randolph Police Department and was promoted to sergeant in 2022, according to a release from the department. He had previously served as a school resource officer and as the department’s elder affairs officer.
“Sgt. Sherman was a highly respected and dedicated member of our department, serving the Randolph community with honor and integrity for many years,” Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag said.
“Scott was very funny, extremely intelligent, and well-respected. His compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service made a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him.
“The entire Randolph Police Department mourns this devastating loss. We will stand together to support each other and Sgt. Sherman’s family as we navigate this difficult time. His legacy and contributions to this department and our community will never be forgotten.
“On behalf of the family, we ask everyone to please respect their privacy while they grieve. Details regarding services will be shared as they become available.”