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Incident
Captain Grimes was shot and killed after he and another officer were dispatched to investigate a suspicious man begging money from children at a deserted shack near a set of railroad tracks. The suspect opened fire on them with a 12-gauge shotgun as they approached. The other officer returned fire killing the suspect, an ex-convict. Captain Grimes had served with the Athol Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Captain Grimes gave the Athol Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athol community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Grimes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Earl is the only officer of Athol Police Department remembered here.
Earl is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Earl 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 1937, 4 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 46. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Earl had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Earl was 46. 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. Earl had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 6% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Athol Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Athol Police Department are honored on badge.nw.