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Incident
Police Officer Kevin Ambrose was shot and killed while responding to reports of a domestic disturbance at the Lawton Arms Apartments on Lawton Street shortly before 1:00 pm.
A woman had called 911 to report her boyfriend, for whom a restraining order had just been issued, was at her apartment complex and that she was in fear for her life. When Officer Ambrose arrived he encountered the two outside and spoke to them. The restraining ordered allowed the male to retrieve belongings from the apartment, so Officer Ambrose escorted both subjects to the third floor unit. When they opened the apartment door the male subject suddenly turned violent, pushed the woman into the apartment, and slammed the door.
As Officer Ambrose attempted to push the door open to get into the apartment, the man fired a handgun through it, striking him. The subject then opened the door, shot him again, and then shot the woman, wounding her. He then fled to his car where he committed suicide.
Other officers responding to the initial call located Officer Ambrose and the wounded woman and immediately began CPR. Both were transported to a local hospital where Officer Ambrose succumbed to his wounds.
Officer Ambrose had served with the Springfield Police Department for 36 years and had previously served as a police cadet for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and one granddaughter.
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
36 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Ambrose gave the Springfield Police Department 36 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ambrose.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 19 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Kevin is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Kevin is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kevin is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 1 officer at Springfield Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 2.
In 2012, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 2012, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2012, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kevin was 55. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 36.5; the middle age was 29. Kevin had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Kevin was 55. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Kevin had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Kevin was 55. 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. Kevin had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kevin was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kevin had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 14.3% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; November holds the most, 42.9%. Mondays: 42.9%.
June holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 19.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 36.8% of all 19 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Kevin among them.
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Daniel J. Donovan Sep 29, 1908
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Harry Oliver Webster Sep 30, 1918
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Raymond James Hannon Nov 6, 1918
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Edward James Rathbun
Dec 8, 1918
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Adelbert St. Marie Aug 31, 1934
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Carl Rolf
Nov 2, 1938
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Thomas F. Murphy Feb 2, 1940
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John P. Sullivan, Sr. Feb 2, 1940
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Raymond T. Moriarty
Sep 20, 1946
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John W. Connors
Feb 20, 1953
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Leo G. Hamel
Oct 31, 1955
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Francis W. Sears Sep 11, 1967
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Walter C. Juskiewicz
Jun 21, 1969
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William R. Berte
Jan 8, 1973
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Richard D. Vigneault
Apr 11, 1973
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Paul F. Mawaka
Oct 30, 1973
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Michael J. Schiavina
Nov 12, 1985
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Alain J. Beauregard
Nov 15, 1985
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Kevin E. Ambrose
Jun 4, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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