Auburn Police Department, Maine
End of Watch: Monday, April 6, 1981
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 35
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: April 6, 1981
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Rocky Bonney drowned while trying to save a teenage boy who had fallen into the icy Androscoggin River while walking along a railroad trestle.
Officer Bonney was the first officer to arrive at the scene and immediately took off his jacket and service belt. He dove into the river and was able to make it to the boy.
The boy began to struggle with Officer Bonney out of fear. A second officer arrived at the scene and also entered the water. Realizing that he could not continue, Officer Bonney pushed the boy towards the other officer. The other officer grabbed the boy as Officer Bonney fell below the surface. The boy continued to struggle and also fell below the surface after causing the other officer to lose his grip.
Officer Bonney's body was not located until the following afternoon. A park near the site was later named in his memory.
Officer Bonney was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Auburn Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.