Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable William Madden was shot and killed while he and another officer were transporting five suspects to a nearby fire station. The officers had caught the five men burglarizing a textile factory and arrested them. Because they were both foot patrol officers they had the men drive themselves to a nearby fire station as the two officer rode on the running boards. During the drive one of the men in the back seat produced a revolver and shot Constable Madden twice, knocking him from the car. The other officer jumped off of the running board at the same time. Although wounded, Constable Madden fired five shots at the vehicle, striking it four times, but did not wound any of the suspects. One of the suspects was arrested that night after a police chase in Hartford, Connecticut. Two others were arrested several days later in New Jersey and the other two, including the suspect who shot Constable Madden, fled the country. The suspects were committing the robbery in order to obtain money to bail out two brothers who were in jail in New Jersey for the murder of Patrolman William Gudehus, of the Hoboken Police Department, on October 10, 1918. The gang was also suspected of being involved with the murders of an unidentified railroad detective and an unidentified night watchman in New Jersey. Constable Madden was a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish-American War veteran and had served with the Manchester Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter. His second daughter was born two days after his funeral.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-E4F69C48- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Constable Madden gave the Manchester Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Manchester community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William F. Madden served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Constable William F. Madden 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. William F. Madden's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Madden Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Madden is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Madden was killed by handgun; revolver.