Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Ellsworth Deitz was shot and killed by a bank robbery suspect at Main Street and Fairfield Avenue. He was directing traffic when the suspect, who was deranged and had attempted a bank robbery earlier in the day, shot him and two other people, wounding one critically. The suspect had recently been released from the state mental hospital where he had been confined for writing threatening letters to President Theodore Roosevelt. The suspect was arrested and later recommitted to a state hospital. He died at the state mental hospital in Middletown on August 13, 1934. Policeman Deitz had served three years with the Bridgeport Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-69DF95F3- 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.
Policeman Deitz gave the Bridgeport Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgeport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Deitz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Ellsworth G. Deitz 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 43.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bridgeport Police Department, 4 of 6 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. Ellsworth G. Deitz's cause is highlighted.
How Ellsworth G. Deitz Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ellsworth G. Deitz is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ellsworth G. Deitz was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Bridgeport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
