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Incident
Special Officer William Gemmell succumbed to a gunshot wound three days earlier while attempting to settle a dispute between two men after being summoned to the scene.
Upon displaying his badge one of the men drew a handgun and shot him in the neck.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Gemmell served with the Pawtucket Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawtucket community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Gemmell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pawtucket Police Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in RI, 45.5% of the 55 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1908, 1 officer in RI was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1958, with 3.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 24. Of the 25 killed feloniously in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 40.
William was 24. 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.
William was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 24% of these deaths in RI, more than any other month. Mondays: 20%.
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 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Pawtucket Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 55 deaths in RI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 32% 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
Pawtucket Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pawtucket Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
