Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dean Pray was shot and killed after he confronted a man that was creating a disturbance near an automotive garage in North Windham. The suspect, 49, was convicted of murder and committed to Thomaston State Prison on January 13th, 1942, to serve a life sentence. On August 16, 1963, he hanged himself in his cell. Deputy Pray was a WWI veteran and had served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-34DC8370- Stewardship
- 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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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.
Deputy Sheriff Pray gave the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland 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
E. Dean Pray served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff E. Dean Pray is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 42.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. E. Dean Pray's cause is highlighted.
How E. Dean Pray Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. E. Dean Pray is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. E. Dean Pray was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
E. Dean Pray served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit E. Dean Pray’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
