Essex County Sheriff Coppinger announces line-of-duty death of Officer Anthony J. Pasquarello

MIDDLETON, Mass. — It is with a heavy heart that Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger announces the line-of-duty death of Correctional Officer Anthony J. Pasquarello, age 37, of Saugus, Mass.

Officer Pasquarello died December 9, 2021 of complications from COVID-19. He was a 15-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. He leaves behind his parents Mario and Norine, his 6-year-old son Vincent, his fiancée Rio Joyce Mendoza, his sisters Maria and LisaMarie, and several aunts and uncles.

“Officer Pasquarello was a courageous, dedicated member of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department who served with great distinction, and we are simply devastated by his passing. His service to our Department, as well as the good people of Essex County, will always be honored and remembered,” Sheriff Coppinger said. “We pray for his family during this very difficult time, as well as for his brothers and sisters at the Essex County Sheriff’s Department who are in great mourning over his passing.”

At 10 a.m. today (December 10), Sheriff Coppinger and the Essex County Sheriff's Department will be joined by Massachusetts State Police and local police departments at Lahey Clinic in Burlington where they will escort the body of Officer Pasquarello to the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Avenue, Wakefield.

Officer Pasquarello's family will join members of the Essex County Sheriff's Department for a candlelight vigil in his honor today at 4 p.m. at the Essex County Jail and House of Correction, 20 Manning Avenue, Middleton.

Funeral arrangements will be announced when complete.