Franklin B. Dreyer

Boston Police Department — Roxbury Crossing, MA

Felonious

End of Watch April 24, 1930

Age 31

The Vigil Panel 59 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 105

Incident

Patrolman Franklin Dreyer was shot in the chest while investigating a break-in at a store at Adams and Ashmont Streets. Patrolman Dreyer entered through the rear of the store when he found it jimmied open. Upon entering the store, he was fired on and took a round to his right wrist. He transferred his weapon over to his left hand and fired at the suspect, who fired again and hit Patrolman Dreyer in the chest. As he fell to the ground, Patrolman Dreyer emptied his revolver, although it was later determined that he did not hit the suspect. The suspect fled out the rear of the store. A witness who heard the shots ran to the downed officer. Patrolman Dreyer gave the witness his box keys and told him to go to the call box across the street and call in for help. Officers arrived on the scene and transported Patrolman Dreyer to the hospital where he passed away from his injuries. Patrolman Dreyer was survived by his wife and three sons. He is buried at New Calvary Cemetery in Mattapan, Massachusetts. A Hero sign is posted on Adams and Ashmont Street District 11 in his honor.

Survivors

Patrolman Dreyer was survived by his wife and three sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-73E8358B
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

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

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

Agency

Department Boston Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Roxbury Crossing, Suffolk County, MA

Platform Identity bpd.suffolk.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 24, 1930

Age 31

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Patrolman Franklin B. Dreyer 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 97,756 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%.

At Boston Police Department, 45 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.

Boston Police Department

of 106 officers

42.5% Felonious

MA — Statewide

199

of 469 officers

42.4% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,756 officers

0% Felonious