Pittsfield Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch Wednesday, November 2, 1988
Add to My HeroesTimothy M. Shepard
Officer Timothy Shepard died when he was overcome by heat stroke and dehydration while training during his first day at the former Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy, at 702 South Westfield Street, in Agawam.
Cadets in the class reported they were pushed to the limits of their endurance with hours of running, push-ups and other exercises that day on just a few small cups of water. Fifteen other cadets of the class of fifty were hospitalized for exhaustion and dehydration. Officer Shepard had undergone a liver transplant, lapsed into a coma, and later died from complications.
Officer Shepard was survived by his expectant wife, mother, father, two brothers, and two sisters at the time of his passing.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 5 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Heatstroke
- Incident Date Monday, September 19, 1988
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsThank you for your dedication to duty, Officer Shepard. Nearly 33 years have passed since you made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. You are gone, but never forgotten. "Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall be called by the children of God." ~Matthew 5:9
Jeffrey Leonard
August 15, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023

Special Agent Robert C. Castioni, Jr.
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: July 24, 2023