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Incident
Traffic Officer Theodore Svenson succumbed to injuries he received in a motorcycle crash on Boston Pike, present-day Route 1, in front of the Colonial Farm Inn, in Plainville.
Officer Svenson was attempting to stop the driver of a speeding vehicle when the car swerved and struck the front of his motorcycle. He was thrown to the street and sustained a fractured skull and broken neck. He was transported to Sayles Memorial Hospital in Rhode Island, where he passed away four days later.
The driver did not stop but was apprehended in North Attleboro and charged with operating an automobile without a license.
Officer Svenson had served with the Wrentham Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Traffic Officer Svenson gave the Wrentham Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wrentham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Traffic Officer Svenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nels is the only officer of Wrentham Police Department remembered here.
Nels is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Nels is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Nels is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 3 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Nels was 45. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Nels had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Nels was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Nels had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nels was 45. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Nels had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.2% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.8%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wrentham Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wrentham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.