Community showing support for injured Springfield officer

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - An overwhelming showing of support has poured in for Springfield Police Officer Nestor Santos, who suffered gunshot injuries to the face and leg during a brazen shooting spree on Wednesday.

The western Massachusetts community is rallying around Santos. He faces the loss of sight in one eye and has a bullet fragment lodged in his skull as he recovers in a Boston area hospital.

On Friday, five of the seven suspects arrested not only faced a judge during their arraignment hearing, but also a sea of blue with a courtroom packed with police from the walls to the benches there to witness the charges being read for themselves.

“We meet this outrage now in the city of Springfield with a sense of gratitude. Thank God this wasn’t worse. Good thing that the officer is going to make it and he’s just going to lose an eye. Thank God the transportation worker is going to be okay,” said Hampden Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni was among those in attendance...

“I’m proud to stand with law enforcement as I always am, in situations like this it’s scary,” Gulluni explained.

Gulluni told Western Mass News that he called the family on Friday and he shared an update on how the family is holding up.

“They’re emotional. They’re taken back. I mean this is fewer than 48 hours at this point. He’s going to suffer from some very serious injuries for the rest of his life. They were very appreciative for the call, pleasant phone call. It was emotional, but I think they’re reeling, obviously,” Gulluni noted.

We’ve also learned more about Santos. The seven-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department received a Medal of Valor last year for his efforts in apprehending a suspect who was firing at officers in 2022 and a Lifesaving medal when he saved a 10-year-old from drowning back in 2015 when he was an officer with the Southbridge Police Department. Santos has a wife and three kids, one of them is a police officer himself. His son, Anthony Santos, is a member of the Southbridge Police Department.

The community at large is also rallying around Santos. The Greg Hill Foundation started a fundraiser that has already amassed tens of thousands of dollars to help pay for medical expenses. Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers is quoted on the fundraiser page saying: “It’s going to be a long road to recovery. We want to give them their privacy. Our Springfield Police Officers are going to be with them every step of the way. We’re going to be by their side to make sure that they know that we’re here for them.”

You can CLICK HERE if you would like to donate.

Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh added that 364 Gives through the Springfield Police Patrolman’s Union is also collecting donations. Those can be made via Venmo to @IBPO364Gives.

The Ride to Remember organization has also announced it will donate proceeds from their summer concert on June 20 in East Longmeadow to the family of Santos.