Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchman Joseph Burnham was shot and killed after interrupting a bank burglary in progress.
At approximately 0200 hours, Watchman Burnham and his partner were walking to a fire at a paint shop on Fleet Street when they heard an explosion from inside the Merrimack National Bank on Pecker Street. Watchman Burnham went to the back of the building, while his partner remained in the front. While in the back, Watchman Burnham confronted two burglars, who had attempted to blow the door off of the bank vault. The burglars shot and killed Watchman Burnham and then escaped.
The suspects were captured later in the night and were charged with murder.
Watchman Burnham had served with the Haverhill Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-153B48D3- 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
159 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Burnham gave the Haverhill Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Haverhill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Joseph Burnham 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 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 Haverhill Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Burnham's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Burnham Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Burnham is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Burnham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Haverhill Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
