Charles H. Emerson

Methuen Police Department — Methuen, MA

Felonious

End of Watch August 8, 1908

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Patrolman Charles Emerson and Patrolman Francis McDermott were shot and killed while paroling the Peat Meadow in the area of Lowell and Woodland Streets at 2200 hours.

They had been assigned to the area to watch for persons who were stealing hay in the location. The suspect in their murders was never apprehended.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-1F9EB22E
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Emerson served with the Methuen Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Methuen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Emerson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Methuen Police Department

Location Methuen, MA

Platform Identity methpd.essex.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 8, 1908

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Never apprehended

Patrolman Charles H. Emerson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Methuen Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Methuen Police Department

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

MA — Statewide

199

of 469 officers

42.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious