Beloved Musician and Volunteer Firefighter Killed by Criminal with 100 Plus Arrests [WATCH]

A Rhode Island musician known for his decades of work in performance, education, and public service was struck and killed Saturday morning in Hopkinton by a driver with an extensive criminal history, according to the Hopkinton Police Department.

The crash occurred around 7:20 a.m. when Shannon Godbout, 41, veered out of her lane and struck several objects, including two telephone poles, before hitting 70-year-old Roderick MacLeod as he walked his dog along the shoulder of the road.

Police said MacLeod was transported by ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

MacLeod’s dog survived the collision and ran home, authorities said.

Godbout was found at the scene with illegal narcotics and packaging materials that police described as consistent with drug distribution.

She was arrested and charged with driving so as to endanger, resulting in death, and possession of narcotics, Schedule I/II, with intent to distribute, 3rd plus offense.

According to the Hopkinton Police Department, Godbout has been arrested more than 100 times.

Roderick MacLeod’s life mattered. Unfortunately, a woman with over ONE HUNDRED past arrests hit him with her car in Rhode Island on Saturday and he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

MacLeod was 70 and walking his dog.

Suspect Shannon Godbout should’ve never been driving.… https://t.co/iKfuBmdQxn pic.twitter.com/NanyEDycJs

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 8, 2025

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Police also reported she has previously had 82 court warrants issued against her and received 40 traffic citations.

Following her arrest, she was scheduled to appear before a justice of the peace and will be presented to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as a criminal violator.

MacLeod, a Grammy-nominated bassist and member of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, was a longtime figure in the state’s music community.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of the band Roomful of Blues.

The organization noted that MacLeod received a Grammy nomination with the band during the 1980s.

He was also active in music education.

Brown University listed MacLeod as a teaching associate and director of its Old-Time String Band, roles he continued to hold in recent years.

Beyond his musical work, MacLeod spent decades involved in public service.

According to an online obituary, he served as a volunteer with the New Hackensack Fire Department for 51 years.

At the time of his death, he was the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the New Hackensack Fire District.

Doug James, a longtime friend and fellow musician, told WJAR that MacLeod was known for his musicianship and his positive spirit.

“He was a good addition to anything he did. Few people play that well on everything, and he did,” James said.

He added, “He really worked hard at all the stuff he did, but it never looked like that it always just came very easily — it appeared to come easily.”

James also described MacLeod as someone who was consistently supportive of those around him.

“He was always great to be around and he was always great to play with. 100% of the people that know him would say exactly the same thing.”

MacLeod is survived by his wife of nearly 47 years, Karen; his daughter, Kate (Manny) Valdivia; and his grandchildren, Mance, Roddy, Ruthanne, and Megan.

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