Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Kevin Ambrose was shot and killed while responding to reports of a domestic disturbance at the Lawton Arms Apartments on Lawton Street shortly before 1:00 pm.
A woman had called 911 to report her boyfriend, for whom a restraining order had just been issued, was at her apartment complex and that she was in fear for her life. When Officer Ambrose arrived he encountered the two outside and spoke to them. The restraining ordered allowed the male to retrieve belongings from the apartment, so Officer Ambrose escorted both subjects to the third floor unit. When they opened the apartment door the male subject suddenly turned violent, pushed the woman into the apartment, and slammed the door.
As Officer Ambrose attempted to push the door open to get into the apartment, the man fired a handgun through it, striking him. The subject then opened the door, shot him again, and then shot the woman, wounding her. He then fled to his car where he committed suicide.
Other officers responding to the initial call located Officer Ambrose and the wounded woman and immediately began CPR. Both were transported to a local hospital where Officer Ambrose succumbed to his wounds.
Officer Ambrose had served with the Springfield Police Department for 36 years and had previously served as a police cadet for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and one granddaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-57585DB4- 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
36 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Ambrose gave the Springfield Police Department 36 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ambrose.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Kevin E. Ambrose 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 Springfield Police Department, 7 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kevin E. Ambrose's cause is highlighted.
How Kevin E. Ambrose Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kevin E. Ambrose is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kevin E. Ambrose was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
