Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Welch was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious person at 3:00 am. He was on his nightly rounds when he encountered the man at McGrath Square. He took the man to the Roxbury House to phone police headquarters, but while he was on the phone, the man fled. As Patrolman Welch caught up to the suspect, he produced a concealed handgun and shot the patrolman, killing him. A suspect was arrested two months later but acquitted at trial. The same man was later convicted of shooting a second man and died while in prison. It is believed the man confessed to killing Patrolman Welch while on his deathbed. Patrolman Welch had served with the Framingham Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-AC4AF2A2- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Welch gave the Framingham Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Framingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Welch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William H. Welch 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 Framingham 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. William H. Welch's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Welch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Welch is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Welch was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Framingham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
