Harold Louis Vitale

Saugus Police Dept. — Saugus, MA

Felonious

End of Watch June 18, 1985

Age 42

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Badge 17

The Vigil Panel 129 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Officer Vitale was killed after being intentionally dragged by a vehicle. He had pulled the vehicle over for a traffic violation but had learned that the driver was wanted for another crime. When he attempted to arrest the man, the suspect rolled Officer Vitale's arm up in the window and drove away, dragging Officer Vitale at speeds up to 40 mph and knocking him into street signs. Several passengers in the vehicle attempted to make the man stop but were unsuccessful. The suspect was apprehended but acquitted of murder and instead convicted of vehicular manslaughter. The judge sentenced the suspect to a maximum of 18 to 20 years, but the suspect was released on parole after only ten years. Officer Vitale had served with the Saugus Police Department for 14 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, five brothers, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-7B8917A1
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harold. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Vitale gave the Saugus Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saugus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vitale.

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

Agency

Department Saugus Police Dept.

Location Saugus, MA

Platform Identity saugpd.essex.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 18, 1985

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 42

Badge Number 17

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Served ten years

Police Officer Harold Louis Vitale 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 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 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Saugus Police Dept., 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Saugus Police Dept.

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

MA — Statewide

199

of 469 officers

42.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious