Officer Michael Leland Briggs, Manchester Police Department, New Hampshire

Officer Michael Leland Briggs

Manchester Police Department, New Hampshire

End of Watch Tuesday, October 17, 2006

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Michael Leland Briggs

Officer Michael Briggs succumbed to a gunshot wound inflicted the previous morning when he and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance call.

Both officers were on bicycle patrol, and they located one of the participants in an alley at the corner of Lake Avenue and Lincoln Streets. Officer Briggs was shot in the head as he was questioning the male subject.

Officer Briggs was transported to Elliott Hospital, where he remained until succumbing to the wound.

The suspect fled the state but was arrested later in the day while hiding in his grandmother's home in Dorchester, Massachusetts. In an odd twist, it was discovered that the suspect was the same man whose life Officer Briggs had saved in 2003 following a shooting. The suspect was convicted in November 2008 of Capital Murder and sentenced to death. He is the only inmate on New Hampshire's death row. The last New Hampshire death sentence was in 1959.

Officer Briggs was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Manchester Police Department for 5 years. He had previously served as a correctional officer for the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections for 6 years. During his time as a correctional officer, he also served as a part-time officer with the Epsom Police Department. He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents, and three sisters.

Bio

Age 35
Tour 11 years
Badge 83
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Monday, October 16, 2006
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to death

bike patrol, domestic

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Officer Briggs, i'm sorry for what happened to you that day nearly 19 years ago. That man didn't have a reason to kill you, as it was wrong and senseless in every way. If anything he could've just took the sentence and got it over with, but sure enough he instead chose to prove how much of a worthless coward he was. But it is odd, to think that the same man's life you rescued prior would be the same guy to end up betraying you later on, which alone is a very foul thing to do to somebody that put their life on the line to rescue them. But on the bright side he was sentenced to death, which means that eventually his time will come to an end, even if he has not been executed yet. Personally, i believe he should've been put to death a long time ago, because he killed a man who was doing the right thing and doing his job. But however, i did learn that you served not just your city in new hampshire, but your country aswell since you were a marine, which is an honorary thing to do. It takes alot of guts to not just become a marine, but to serve your country aswell, so you have my upmost respect for that. Also, i'm sure your sons have grown up to learn how much of a hero their father was, because you truly were a hero in blue that did what was right, which was to protect and serve, and you did that perfectly. I'm sure the citizens of new hampshire and of your city appreciated your service while you were still here, since there's most likely alot of people who have met you and or spoke to you. From what i read, you were one of the good officers, because i read that you saved almost 20 people from a burning apartment building, along with an elderly woman and a teen in a wheelchair, which truly says alot about your character as a man of strength and bravery. But as of now, may you rest well knowing your service as a marine and officer is highly appreciated, and that you did good not just for your city and people, but for your country aswell. Rest Well Mr. Briggs

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

May 6, 2025