Captain Alister C McGregor, a 43-year-old White man and 16-year veteran of the East Providence Police Department, died on December 27, 2001, during a SWAT team training exercise. The drill simulated a hostage situation on a school bus; McGregor was on board participating when a fellow officer, serving as the team sniper and using a personal rifle he had permission to use, failed to clear live ammunition from the weapon. During a break the officer aimed the rifle at McGregor, pulled the trigger, and a single live round fatally wounded him.

The sniper, Joseph Warzycha III, was later indicted for involuntary manslaughter, pled no contest and received a five-year deferred sentence conditioned on resignation from the East Providence Police Department, a bar from future law enforcement employment, and a prohibition on carrying a weapon; if he complied, the charge would be filed and he would avoid prison. McGregor was posthumously promoted to Major and was survived by his wife, a fellow department detective, and their five children.

Who knew Major McGregor or was involved with the department’s training at that time and can share details about that day or the changes that followed?