Former Mansfield Officer Nears Massachusetts On Appalachian Trail

MANSFIELD, MA — After 26 years on the job, Mansfield Police Lieutenant Roy Bain decided to retire in March this year, only to spend his time doing the farthest thing from relaxing: hiking the Appalachian Trail.

As of Wednesday morning, Lt. Bain has crossed the border into Connecticut, nearing the end of his goal of making it to Mount Katahdin, said Mansfield PD in a Facebook post.

One month after retiring from the police force, Bain's started his 2,190-mile trek from Georgia to Maine on April 15th, One Boston Day, the Mansfield Police Department posted on its Facebook page as they sent him off.

Carrying 30 pounds of gear, Bain is still maintaining his travels, even with a sprained ankle he received early on his trip. The Mansfield Police Department says anyone who knows Bain is not surprised that he continued his march to Maine despite the pain.

“For those of us who were fortunate to work alongside him for the majority of his 25 years of service, they will miss his quick wit, his loyalty, and his commitment to do the right thing." The Mansfield Police Department posted to their Facebook page on Bain's departure.

After spraining his ankle, Bain was able to continue going by setting goals for himself, some of them being to "find the next watering source," and other trickier days being, "get to that tree."

As he enters Connecticut, Bain explained his next goal is to pass through Massachusetts, stopping to see friends and family for the first time since April, before continuing with plans to finish out the trail to Mount Katahdin.

"With each step, Bain is closer to Maine," says the Mansfield Police Department.