Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts
End of Watch Saturday, February 26, 1983
Add to My HeroesGeorge L. Hanna
Trooper George Hanna was shot and killed while searching three subjects during a traffic stop near the intersection of Route 12 and Route 20 in Auburn, Massachusetts.
Unbeknownst to Trooper Hanna, the three men had been searching for a local business to rob. As he found a weapon on the first man the second man pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and shot Trooper Hanna. All three subjects were arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
The George Hanna Award was named in honor of Trooper Hanna and is the highest medal a Massachusetts law enforcement officer can receive.
Trooper Hanna had served with the Massachusetts State Police for nine years and was assigned to C Troop. He was survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour 9 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 52 ReflectionsI had the pleasure to have known George as a casual acquaintance. We met at the YMCA in Framingham, MA and were on a similar swimming schedule. Despite our minimal interaction, George made a lasting impression on me as being a very special human being. To this day, I miss him and wish that the "rules of engagement" between police officers and those who break our laws would be far more protective for our officers. An officer should have the authority to demand that the driver of a motor vehicle which was determined to have broken the law exit the vehicle with both hands above the head and in plain view. Had this been the case in 1983, a great man would be with us today with his wife and three grown children.
Dr. Kenneth J. Backman
fellow swimmer at Framingham, MA YMCA
August 10, 2019
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