A 43-year-old man who died while Haverhill police attempted to take him into custody purchased crack cocaine from another man about an hour before the incident that led to his death, according to a police report.

We firmly believe that Francis did not deserve to perish – especially not in the manner he did," the family said through their lawyer.

The family of a Haverhill man who died during an encounter with officers outside a seafood restaurant last Friday has hired a prominent Boston attorney.