Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ebenezer Parker succumbed to injuries sustained one week earlier when he was beaten over the head with a sleigh arm while attempting to serve a warrant. Deputy Parker had located the man, wanted for failing to pay a debt, in Westbrook. When Deputy Parker entered the location, a blacksmith shop at 916 Main Street, he was attacked by the owner of the shop and beaten. Deputy Parker went home and succumbed to injuries a week later. The man was convicted of Deputy Parker's murder and hanged in July 1808. The subject wanted for not paying debts was acquitted of accessory to murder. Deputy Parker was survived by his wife and two sons. At the time of Deputy Parker's murder, Maine had not yet been formed as a state, and Cumberland County was a part of Massachusetts. As of 2022, Deputy Parker is the first known fallen officer in New England History.
Survivors
Deputy Parker was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-F9628AA0- 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
218 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Parker served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ebenezer Parker 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 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 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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. Ebenezer Parker's cause is highlighted.
How Ebenezer Parker Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1808
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ebenezer Parker is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ebenezer Parker was killed by blunt object; lumber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
