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Incident
Guard Herbert Parsell was killed during an inmate escape attempt at the Connecticut State Prison in Wethersfield.
Three inmates reported that they were ill after breakfast. The inmates were ordered to the report to the infirmary, but they instead joined a group of inmates reporting to work at the maintenance shop where Guard Parsell was stationed. They planned to escape through the shop and scale a wall outside that they knew was unguarded at that time of the morning.
When the three inmates arrived at the shop, two of them tackled Guard Parsell. Five other inmates came to Guard Parsell's assistance, giving him time to sound an alarm throughout the prison, but they were eventually repelled by the two inmates who had staged the attack. The two inmates set upon Guard Parsell again and beat him about the head with wrenches before help could arrive. The three inmates then barricaded themselves in the shop.
When prison officials arrived, they pumped tear gas into the shop to encourage the inmates to surrender. Twenty minutes after the attack on Guard Parsell's, the three inmates were subdued and taken back to their cells. Guard Parsell was rushed to St. Francis Hospital, where we was declared dead on arrival from severe head injuries.
All three prisoners were convicted of murdering Guard Parsell and executed by electrocution on October 1, 1946.
Guard Parsell had served with the Connecticut Department of Correction for eleven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, his son, two step-children, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Parsell gave the Connecticut Department of Correction 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wethersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Parsell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Connecticut Department of Correction has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Herbert is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Herbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Herbert 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 1945, 1 officer at Connecticut Department of Correction was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1945, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1945, 70 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 108th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Herbert was 53. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Connecticut Department of Correction whose age is recorded, half were between 50.8 and 56.3; the middle age was 52. Herbert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Herbert was 53. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Herbert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Herbert was 53. 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. Herbert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Herbert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Connecticut Department of Correction, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Fridays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Connecticut Department of Correction. The weapon recorded was blunt object; wrench, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; wrench, in 1.4% 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 blunt object; wrench, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; wrench, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Connecticut Department of Correction has 5 officers remembered here, Herbert among them.
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 Connecticut Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
