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Incident
Officer William Berte was shot and killed by another officer in the department's garage. Patrolman Berte had gone to the police garage to pick up a cruiser. He and a patrolman assigned to the garage began arguing as they filled his cruiser with gasoline. The argument turned into a scuffle, and the patrolman was shot with a service revolver. He died at Wesson Memorial Hospital. The other officer was charged with murder. Officer Berte was a United States Coast Guard veteran and had served with the Springfield Police Department for 3 years. He was survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, his mother, and three sisters. He is buried at Saint Michael's Cemetary, Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, his mother, and three sisters.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Coast Guard. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Berte gave the Springfield Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William R. Berte served in the U.S. Coast Guard before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 19 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1973, 2 officers at Springfield Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 6 officers in MA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 27. 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. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 27. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
William was 27. 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 had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; November holds the most, 42.9%. Mondays: 42.9%.
January holds 7.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 19.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% 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 gun, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, William 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
Military Service
William R. Berte served in the U.S. Coast Guard before joining law enforcement.
Visit William R. Berte’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
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.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
