Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable John DeCarli succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous night when he was shot by a thief at a farm along West Road. A farmer had complained that several milk cans had been stolen from his barn over a period of several days. Constable DeCarli and the farmer staked out the barn and at approximately 10:00 pm observed a man stealing a milk can. When the two announced themselves the subject opened fire, striking Constable DeCarli in the leg and abdomen. Constable DeCarli was taken to Rockville General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. The subject fled and was arrested following a long manhunt in which he also wounded a Massachusetts State Police trooper. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison where he died of cancer in 1971. Constable DeCarli was an Italian immigrant and also served as a captain with the Ellington Fire Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-515F3BE8- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Constable DeCarli gave the Ellington Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ellington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable DeCarli.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John B. DeCarli is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John B. DeCarli's cause is highlighted.
How John B. DeCarli Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John B. DeCarli is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John B. DeCarli was killed by gun; unknown type.