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Incident
Patrolman Joseph Doane was assaulted and killed while on patrol. While trying to break up a fight at the New Ocean House hotel, he was kicked and suffered a ruptured spleen. Patrolman Doane was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Swampscott Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and two children. Doane Bridge, which carries the Danvers Road across the railroad tracks from Essex Street, was named in his memory.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Doane gave the Swampscott Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Swampscott community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Howard Doane served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Swampscott Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 1 officer in MA was killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 36. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Joseph was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 19.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Swampscott Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Swampscott Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Military Service
Joseph Howard Doane served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Howard Doane’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Swampscott Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
