Slain MIT Officer Gets Posthumous Honor

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer slain just days after the Boston Marathon bombing is being posthumously sworn in as a Somerville officer.

Authorities allege the marathon bombing suspects shot and killed Sean Collier on April 18 to get his gun.

A special ceremony is being held Thursday to pay tribute to the 27-year-old Collier, who had accepted a position in Somerville before he was killed and was just weeks away from starting his new job. The Wilmington native and Salem State University graduate had been a civilian employee of Somerville's department.

After he's sworn in, his badge will be retired.

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone says he spoke with Collier's family ahead of the ceremony.

"They're happy that we can at least all step back, reflect on his service, his sacrifice and, you know, smile a little bit knowing that he achieved what he had dreamed to achieve," Curtatone said.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom