PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A veteran police officer is leaving the department ahead of a Civil Service hearing related to a shooting incident at his home on July 18.
On Wednesday, Police Chief Michael Wynn said Officer Miles Barber will voluntarily "be separated from service with the Pittsfield Police Department effective Sunday, October 28, 2018."
Police had responded to Barber's Cromwell Avenue home that July afternoon for a report of a shooting. There a woman, who still has not been identified, was found with a gunshot wound.
The woman was transported to the hospital and a follow-up report from the state police determined that the shot was self-inflicted and that the bullet came from Barber's service weapon.
Since then state police detectives working through the Berkshire County district attorney's office have been conducting a criminal investigation into the matter. The office has offered limited or no comment regarding the circumstances around the case. The Pittsfield Police Department conducted an administrative investigation.
The terms of that separations — i.e. retirement, resignation, layoff, etc. — is not clear. Barber has been on administrative leave since the incident.
Wynn said the administrative investigation led to a recommendation that a Civil Service hearing be held to determine discipline — though Wynn didn't specify any reasons for discipline. Barber's voluntary separation lead to that hearing being canceled.
Wynn directed questions regarding the criminal investigation to the district attorney's office. The office did not respond to a request for information regarding the case.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
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