Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Francis Doyle was shot and killed as he and several other officers attempted to force entry into a home at 339 Maryland Avenue while conducting an investigation. Officers had gone to the home earlier in an attempt to recover a stolen watch and were held off by the suspect's wife. When the officers returned, they forced the door open but were immediately fired at by the woman. Officer Doyle was struck in the chest and killed instantly. The woman was charged with murdering Officer Doyle but acquitted at trial. Officer Doyle was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Civil War and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son, who was an infant when he died, joined the Metropolitan Police Department. Officer Doyle was buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-39094571- 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.
Officer Doyle gave the Metropolitan Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington 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
Francis M. Doyle served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Francis M. Doyle 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis M. Doyle's cause is highlighted.
How Francis M. Doyle Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis M. Doyle is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis M. Doyle was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
