ADAMS, Mass. — Community members are invited to gather Thursday at 1 p.m. on Park Street to pay their respects to Officer William "Billy" Evans during the funeral procession.

 

"I think it is really important for the family, and for the law enforcement community," Adams Police Chief Scott Kelley said. "We will be out here and we will show our love and respect for our fallen brother. But for the community. ... I think it is important for them too because this is their home, it is his home, and I think it is important for them to come out."

 

The town will close Hoosac Street, Summer Street, and Bellevue Cemetery on Thursday, April 14, to accommodate funeral services for Officer Evans. The procession will move from St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, where a Mass will be held, to Bellevue Cemetery. Evans' father, the late Howard Evans, is buried in Bellevue. 

 

Evans, a member of the U.S. Capitol Police, was killed on Friday, April 2, when a driver slammed his car into a checkpoint he was guarding at the Capitol.

 

Evans was raised in North Adams and Clarksburg and was a graduate of Drury High School. He served with the U.S. Capitol Police since 2003 and was a member of the Capitol Division's First Responder's unit.

 

The burial and funeral are private, but residents will be allowed to pay their respects on Park Street during the funeral procession. Residents are invited to gather along the street at 1 pm. Masks must be worn and social distancing is required.

 

Participants are encouraged to bring American flags.

 

Hoosac Street -- between Depot Street and Summer Street -- will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. 

 

Summer Street to Weber Street will be closed to traffic 8 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. 

 

Bellevue Cemetery will be closed to the public 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The town stated in a press release that people should expect additional traffic delays and targeted road closures throughout the day.