Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Francis Fenton was shot and killed when he intervened after an armed man threatened a tavern owner at 140 Homestead Avenue. Although he was off duty and unarmed, Officer Fenton attempted to convince the man to turn over his weapon. The man shot him and then kicked him as he lay wounded on the floor. The subject was captured by two detectives a short time later. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 19, 1969. He was paroled after serving a short portion of his sentence. Officer Fenton had the Hartford Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-4E3E86FA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Fenton gave the Hartford Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Fenton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Francis X. Fenton 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 43.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hartford Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis X. Fenton's cause is highlighted.
How Francis X. Fenton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis X. Fenton is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis X. Fenton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hartford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
