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Constable William F. Madden | Manchester Police Department, Connecticut Manchester Police Department, Connecticut

Constable

William F. Madden

Manchester Police Department, Connecticut

End of Watch: Thursday, January 30, 1919

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 39

Tour: 11 years

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 1/30/1919

Weapon: Handgun; Revolver

Suspect: Not available

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Constable Madden was shot and killed while he and another officer were transported five suspects to a nearby fire station. The officers had caught the five men burglarizing a textile factory and arrested them. Because they were both foot patrol officers they had the men drive themselves to a nearby fire station as the two officer rode on the running boards. During the drive one of the men in the back seat produced a revolver and shot Constable Madden twice, knocking him from the car. The other jumped off of the running board at the same time. Although wounded, Constable Madden fired five shots at the vehicle, striking it four times, but did not wound any of the suspects.

One of the suspects was arrested that night after a police chase in Hartford, Connecticut. Two others were arrested several days later in New Jersey and the other two, including the suspect who shot Constable Madden, fled the country.

The suspects were committing the robbery in order to obtain money to bail out two brothers who were in jail in New Jersey for the murder of Patrolman William Gudehus, of the Hoboken Police Department, on October 10, 1918. The gang was also suspected of being involved with the murders of an unidentified railroad detective and an unidentified night watchman in New Jersey.

Constable Madden had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his expectant wife and daughter. His second daughter was born two days after his funeral.

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Related Line of Duty Deaths

Patrolman William Gudehus
Hoboken Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch: Thursday, October 10, 1918
Cause: Gunfire

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Most Recent Reflection

Rest In Peace Constable Madden - never forgotten...your ultimate sacrifice to duty is remembered by your fellow brothers and sisters of the Manchester, Connecticut Police Department.

Civilian Member of Staff, E. Burke
Manchester Police Department
May 4, 2012

 

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