Law enforcement officers pay tribute to late Sgt. Mark Phelps

A hearse carrying the body of Sgt. Mark Phelps follows a Chester Police cruiser through Springfield last Wednesday afternoon, with fire trucks following behind. (Photos by Shawn Cunningham, The Chester Telegraph}

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2017-12-20 / Front Page Law enforcement officers pay tribute to late Sgt. Mark Phelps Local fire departments fly the U.S. flag above, in honor, as a procession of law enforcement vehicles escorts the late Sgt. Mark Phelps home on Wednesday, Dec. 13. - COURTESY PHOTO / Chester Police Department Local fire departments fly the U.S. flag above, in honor, as a procession of law enforcement vehicles escorts the late Sgt. Mark Phelps home on Wednesday, Dec. 13. - COURTESY PHOTO / Chester Police DepartmentCHESTER — Dozens of law enforcement units, including members of local police departments, the Sheriff’s Office, and fire departments, paid a moving tribute on Wednesday, Dec. 13 to one of their own, Chester Police Department Sgt. Mark Phelps Sr., who passed away on Monday, Dec. 11 at a local hospital. Police Chief Richard Cloud made a public announcement on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 12, asking for the community’s thoughts and prayers for Phelps’s family. A law enforcement escort procession was arranged for Wednesday, with many area agencies taking part in tribute. “Today we will be bringing Sgt. Mark Phelps home,” the CPD wrote on its Facebook page on Wednesday. The law enforcement escort route included I-89 to I-91 and into Springfield. Fire department ladder trucks displayed the U.S. flag over I-91 in Phelps’ honor and memory. Phelps graduated in 1983 from Springfield High School, and attended the Vermont Police Academy. He was a local law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, serving with Bellows Falls Police Department (BFPD), the Springfield Police Department (SPD), and most recently as sergeant with the CPD. He was also a K-9 officer for several years with partner, K9 Riggs. He has served with Springfield Fire Department and Chester Fire Department, and taught in the Springfield High School Protective Services Program. He leaves a wife, son, stepsons, his parents, and several family members. A memorial service for Sgt. Phelps was held on Dec. 18 at the American Legion, followed by a celebration of his life.