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Alfred L. Foster
Incident
Railroad Policeman Alfred Foster died after falling from a railroad trestle in South Bellingham, Massachusetts.
He had been detailed to the area due to recent thefts from trains. During the drive to South Bellingham, the car he was riding in was involved in a crash. He continued to his assigned area and began his patrols along the tracks. He was crossing the railroad trestle over Lake Street when he fell through an opening to the street 15 feet below.
A passerby discovered his body at about 7:00 am.
Policeman Foster had served with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, mother, and six siblings.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Railroad Policeman Foster gave the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Policeman Foster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Alfred is one of 73 officers lost to accidents in CT, 43.2% of the 169 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Alfred 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 1931, 1 officer at New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 1 officer in CT was lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 4.
In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1931, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Alfred was 44. Of the 5 lost to accidents at New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 46; the middle age was 44. Alfred had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alfred was 44. Of the 63 lost to accidents in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 39. Alfred had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Alfred was 44. 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. Alfred had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alfred was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Alfred had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department; July holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 20%.
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in CT; July holds the most, 19.2%. Wednesdays: 20.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 43.2% of all 169 deaths in CT, 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.
His people
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Alfred among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.