One verdict is already declared in the Karen Read murder case: The Massachusetts State Police are guilty in the first degree of dereliction of duty.

The closing arguments of the sensational retrial were one of the most embarrassing moments for the MSP in its history.

Since-fired Trooper Michael Proctor’s “vile” texts on Karen Read’s figure and intestinal struggles have no place in any workplace, let alone a murder investigation. But the dysfunction goes deeper.

Proctor’s boss, Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik testified that he gave a virtual thumbs-up emoji to Proctor’s juvenile observations while busy working a detail shift at Logan International Airport. The supervisor added that he was focused on his traffic duties and was only acknowledging receipt of the texts.

So why did Bukhenik later rate Proctor’s professionalism a four out of five in a quarterly review?

Better yet, why was Bukhenik working a detail at Logan amid a murder investigation? The victim was a Boston police officer, yet Bukhenik was preoccupied? What does that say about the agency?

BPD Officer John O’Keefe deserved better, and so did Karen Read. It is up to the jury now to decide guilt or innocence, but the disgust of the State Police must be part of those deliberations.

But that’s not all.

The Herald investigated Bukhenik’s claims that he was hard at work on a detail, and according to State Police records, he was indeed working at Logan on Aug. 17, 2022, when Proctor sent over some of his insulting observations. In fact, state Comptroller records show Bukhenik earned $66,433 in overtime and $13,593 in “other pay” for a total of $ 188,288 in 2022.

So far this year, Bukhenik has pulled down $27,537 in OT and $14,910 in other pay, already eclipsing $101,947 for 2025. He earned $211,961 in 2024, including $48,584 in overtime.

The State Police have racked up $32.10 million in overtime pay so far this year.

We’d argue professionalism is the least we should expect for that hefty sum.

As we have reported, a State Police detective captain who pocketed an eye-popping $584,072 in pay last year amassed record overtime using 27 different reasons.

This all shows that State Police have a nose for bonus pay. What about crime? Does it override their pursuit of the truth? That’s clearly the worry.

Proctor didn’t go into the house at the murder scene in Canton, where another Boston police officer lived. That fact looms large in this case, and it’s hard to defend.

Anyone would wonder if the State Police, judging by Proctor’s sins and Bukhenik’s focus on his detail duties, are distracted.

We asked an expert, Dennis Galvin, who said: “The State Police have failed to develop an effective monitoring and auditing system that can contribute to an improved oversight and management of the agency.”

Galvin, president of the Massachusetts Association of Professional Law Enforcement (MAPLE), said overtime, sick leave, training, arrests, field interrogations, search warrants, use of force, case reports, conviction rates, officer discipline, cruiser accidents, citizen complaints, evidence room, and budgeting must all be audited.

The State Police have a powerful union, but that’s not going to help this time. The agency is a laughing stock, and good troopers outnumber the bad, so it’s time to clean house and put the best back on the streets.

Pool Photo/Charles KrupaMassachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik testifies during the trial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pool Photo/Charles Krupa)

Originally Published: June 17, 2025 at 4:53 AM EDT