Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Grimes was shot and killed after he and another officer were dispatched to investigate a suspicious man begging money from children at a deserted shack near a set of railroad tracks. The suspect opened fire on them with a 12-gauge shotgun as they approached. The other officer returned fire killing the suspect, an ex-convict. Captain Grimes had served with the Athol Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-6B5AA542- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Grimes gave the Athol Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athol community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Grimes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Earl H. Grimes 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 97,772 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 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl H. Grimes's cause is highlighted.
How Earl H. Grimes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl H. Grimes is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl H. Grimes was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Athol Police Department are honored on badge.nw.