Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frederick Forni succumbed to gunshot wounds he received on February 16, 1969, when he and Officer Augustine Belmonte engaged in a gun battle with three armed robbery suspects at 11:15 pm.
Police received a tip that the Red Coach Grill on Route 1 would be robbed. A gun battle resulted when the robbers ran out the back door and found five officers waiting. One suspect was shot and killed, and the other two were taken into custody.
One suspect, 24, was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on October 10, 1969. He was paroled on August 3, 1983. The other suspect, 25, was acquitted.
Officer Belmonte was shot and killed at the scene. Patrolman Forni, who volunteered for the stakeout, was shot in the chest and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. He died from complications of his gunshot wound 52 years later.
Patrolman Forni was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Saugus Police Department for 11 years. His father was the Chief of Police when he was shot. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons. Both of his sons are law enforcement officers.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-018FED89- 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.
Patrolman Forni gave the Saugus Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saugus community. Thank you 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
Frederick Louis Forni served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Frederick Louis Forni 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 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 Saugus Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frederick Louis Forni's cause is highlighted.
How Frederick Louis Forni Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frederick Louis Forni is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frederick Louis Forni was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
Frederick Louis Forni served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frederick Louis Forni’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Saugus Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
