Former Head of Mass. State Police Unit Retires

Lt. Brian Tully, who oversaw the Karen Read investigation, has stepped down after facing discipline.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:20am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuffs, the metal and leather details sharply illuminated by a harsh flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of gritty investigation and unresolved tensions.The retirement of a key figure in the Karen Read investigation exposes ongoing tensions within the Massachusetts State Police.Boston Today

Massachusetts State Police Lt. Brian Tully, who previously led the detective unit for the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and oversaw the investigation into John O'Keefe's death, has retired. Tully's retirement comes after he faced discipline for failing to properly supervise and discipline members of his unit who shared inappropriate text messages about Karen Read during the investigation.

Why it matters

Tully's retirement and prior disciplinary issues are significant as he was a key figure in the high-profile Karen Read murder trial and is expected to be deposed as part of Read's civil lawsuit against the state police.

The details

An internal affairs investigation found that Tully, who most recently worked in the Field Services division, failed to properly supervise and discipline members of his state police unit who were sharing inappropriate text messages about Karen Read during the investigation into O'Keefe's death. Tully was transferred out of his role in October 2024 after a new leader took over the agency, and he was disciplined by having to forfeit six days of accrued leave.

  • Tully's retirement was effective at the end of the day on Wednesday, April 12, 2026.
  • In July 2024, state police announced they were investigating two troopers, including Tully, who had testified at Read's trial.
  • Tully was transferred out of his role in October 2024 after the internal affairs investigation found he had failed to properly supervise his unit.

The players

Lt. Brian Tully

A former Massachusetts State Police lieutenant who previously led the detective unit for the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and oversaw the investigation into John O'Keefe's death. Tully faced discipline for failing to properly supervise and discipline members of his unit who shared inappropriate text messages about Karen Read during the investigation.

Karen Read

The defendant in a high-profile murder trial who is suing the Massachusetts State Police, with Tully expected to be deposed as part of the civil case.

John O'Keefe

The victim whose death was investigated by the state police unit led by Tully.

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What’s next

Tully is one of several key figures in Karen Read's civil suit due to be deposed over the next few months.

The takeaway

Tully's retirement and prior disciplinary issues highlight the ongoing fallout from the Karen Read murder investigation and trial, which has raised questions about the state police's handling of the case.