After a Springfield police officer laughed in response to news of anti-racism demonstrators who were run down during a white supremacist rally, the mayor issued an exclamatory statement.

"I just got done issuing a statement this morning on how upsetting the tragic incidents were in Charlottesville, VA, and one of our own officers does this? Unbelievable! There is no place for this in our society, let alone from a Springfield Police Officer," Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Sunday night.

White nationalists gathered in in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday. During their "Unite the Right" march, they were met by counterprotesters. Around 1:45 p.m., a car driven by 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr., of Ohio, plowed through protesters.

Heather Heyer, 32, was killed and 19 more were injured.

In response to an article on the vehicular attack, Springfield officer Conrad Lariviere wrote in a comment on Facebook, "Hahahaha love this, maybe people shouldn't block roads."

He went on to question whether the driver was a white nationalist.

Fields was photographed at the rally carrying the wooden shield of Vanguard America, a white supremacist organization identifies as "the face of American fascism."

"I've been hit by a shitbag with warrants but who cares right you ignorant brat live in a fantasy land with the rest of America while I deal with the real danger," Lariviere wrote in response to another social media user who criticized his reaction.

Lariviere confirmed to MassLive that he is a patrolman with the department, and expressed remorse for what he described as "a stupid comment about people blocking streets."

"Never would I want someone to get murdered. I am not a racist and don't believe in what any of those protesters are doing," Lariviere told MassLive.

"We just went through this social media issue with a couple of Springfield Firefighters," Sarno said. "Again, this is not an overall reflection of our men and women in blue, who serve with honor, courage and compassion. If these individuals do not learn from, understand and represent the meaning of mutual respect, my strong suggestion would be a different career path."

When asked of the matter over the weekend, Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri said the department has launched an investigation into the officer.

"I received notification of this Facebook post earlier today via email from a complainant. The post is purportedly from Springfield police officer. I took immediate steps to initiate a prompt and thorough internal investigation," Barbieri wrote in an email. "If in fact this post did originate from an officer employed with the Springfield Police Department, this matter will be reviewed by the Community Police Hearings Board for further action."

Sarno said he commends Barbieri "for a thorough internal investigation and review by our Community Police Hearing Board to pursue the appropriate discipline against said officer."