Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Ezra Hoskins was killed when he confronted four inmates attempting to escape from Wethersfield State Prison.
On the night of April 30, an inmate managed to bore through the lock of his cell with a dinner utensil and to free another inmate who had fashioned a skeleton key for the prison. The inmates unlocked the cell doors of two other prisoners and followed Guard Hoskins on his rounds. They then concocted a ruse to murder him so that they could continue with their escape.
At midnight, one of the inmates circled the walkway between cells and appeared suddenly in front of Guard Hoskins, who could not hear his movements due to deafness. As Guard Hoskins approached him and asked him what he was doing out of his cell, another inmate attacked Guard Hoskins from behind, hitting him on the head with an iron bar. The inmates then beat Guard Hoskins until they ascertained that he was dead and attempted to flee the prison through a door near the women's cell block. However, a female inmate noticed them out of their cells and alerted the matron, who quickly sounded an alarm. All four inmates were recaptured before they could leave the prison.
The two inmates who were directly responsible for Guard Hoskins' murder were sentenced to death and hanged on September 6, 1833.
Wethersfield Prison was located at the current site of Cove Park and the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The prison was demolished in 1965 and sold to the city for $1.
Guard Hoskins was preceded in death by his wife.
He is buried in Wethersfield Village Cemetery, Weathersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut.
Guard Hoskins, it has been 191 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for years of law enforcement service.
Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall Georges Mills, NH May 1st, 2024
In Our Keeping
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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
193 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Guard Hoskins served with the Connecticut Department of Correction.
Thank you for your service to the Wethersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Ezra Hoskins 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%.
At Connecticut Department of Correction, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ezra Hoskins's cause is highlighted.
How Ezra Hoskins Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ezra Hoskins is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ezra Hoskins was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Connecticut Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
