Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Maurice Ritchie died as a result of complications of influenza while in the performance of his assigned duties during the Influenza Pandemic.
He was assigned to a police wagon during his tour of duty, responsible for transporting inmates to the City Jail or the City Hospital, when he contracted influenza.
The first case of influenza was reported in Boston on August 28, 1918, resulting in more than 4,000 deaths by the end of the year. Two major events in Boston in early September 1918 contributed to the spread of the deadly second wave of influenza in the city. The "Win-the-War-for-Freedom" patriotic parade on September 3 drew around 5,000 military participants and civilians. Within 72 hours after the parade, every Boston Hospital was filled with influenza patients. The 1918 World Series pitted the Chicago Cubs against the Boston Red Sox, drawing over 62,000 fans during the three final home games at Fenway Park on September 9, 10, and 11. Boston police officers were assigned crowd control and provided security at these events, while also performing their regular job duties. They worked an average of 73-98 hours a week, making them more susceptible to contracting influenza and then spreading it throughout the police department.
Patrolman Ritchie served with the Boston Police Department for over seven and a half years and was assigned to District 13 on Seaverns Avenue in Jamaica Plain.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-E47906BF- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ritchie gave the Boston Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ritchie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Maurice Aloyisus Ritchie is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MA, 59 of 469 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 12.6% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 9.1%.
At Boston Police Department, 22 of 106 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 20.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Maurice Aloyisus Ritchie's cause is highlighted.
How Maurice Aloyisus Ritchie Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. Maurice Aloyisus Ritchie is highlighted in Sep.
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Boston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
