Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Friday, August 31, 1951
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 31, 1951
Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm
Suspect Info: Never identified
Patrolman Alje Savela was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Route 122, in Barre, at 8:20 pm. A farmer heard several gun shots and found Patrolman Savela's body with seven 9 mm gunshot wounds.
One of the subjects in the case later shot and killed Assistant Superintendent James Godwin, of the Florida Department of Corrections, during an escape attempt on April 4th, 1955. The inmate died in prison.
Patrolman Savela had served with the Massachusetts State Police for four years and was assigned to A Troop. The range at the Massachusetts State Police Academy is named in his honor. He is buried at North Cemetery in Lunenberg, Massachusetts.