PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Pittsfield Police Department announced on Tuesday that a dedicated and highly respected member of their force died unexpectedly. Springfield Superior Court Judge Francis “Frank” Flannery passes away Officer Michael Silver has been a police officer for 16 years, he graduated from the State Police Municipal Academy in 2008. He then began his career with the Pittsfield Police Department and has been a senior tactical operator in the traffic unit for the Berkshire County Special Response Team since 2016. Officer Silver was a certified Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Instructor in several areas. He also served for the Lee Police Department in 2015. During his career, Silver received several letters of commendation, a Weapons Seizure Award recipient, along with a Drug Buster Award. Pittsfield Police Chief Thomas Dawley announced the unexpected death of Officer Silver and stated the department would not be releasing any additional information. "Rest in peace Ofc. Michael Silver Call Sign #403, your brothers and sisters in blue will take it from here," Chief Dawley. Local News Headlines Springfield Partners for Community Action host financial literacy workshop for veterans Man arrested for exposing himself on flight to Boston Tensions rise at State House over ballot question 1 State House celebrates Diwali WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.