West Warwick Police Mourn Loss Of Detective Matthew Beltrami

WEST WARWICK, RI — The West Warwick Police Department is reaching out about the recent passing of a 17-year veteran of the department, and speaking out about the importance of wellness within the community of first responders.

"The untimely and tragic loss of our brother, Detective Matthew Beltrami, has affected us all on many levels. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Beltrami family and we vow to continue to support each other," wrote Col. Mark Knott in a Facebook post on behalf of the men and women of the department.

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Beltrami was a decorated crisis negotiator, a diligent opioid response liaison, and an empathetic mental health first aid trainer who always stepped up to help people in need, Knott wrote. The detective was described as a born leader who honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force and later served his community as a well-rounded police officer.

"We believe his legacy should be centered around officer wellness and recognizing that it is OK not to be OK," Knott wrote. "Matt joins a group of dozens of police officers this year whose tragic loss reminds us that we are all human beings with various needs, frailties, and response strategies. This escalating trend needs to stop, and we must follow Matt’s work ethic and life’s calling to step in and help others in times of need. "

Knott said the department and the Beltrami family "are deeply concerned about the wellbeing of our first responders and want our loss to help save others."

According to his LinkedIn profile, Beltrami was an Eagle Scout who studied psychology at the University of Rhode Island and served as a mental health worker at Butler Hospital before he became a police officer in 2003.

"Matt was the epitome of our Department motto: Courage ~ Sacrifice ~ Devotion and his absence leaves a significant void in our lives and within our Department," wrote Knott.