Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Leo Hamel was killed when he was crushed after he jumped onto the running board of a stolen tractor-trailer truck that was operating recklessly on Union Street. Officer Hamel was directing children across Union Street and Main Street when he jumped on the runaway truck. While attempting to get the driver to stop near Columbus Avenue, he careened off the side of a parked dump truck, killing him. Officer Hamel shot the driver five times before he was killed. The driver continued on Union Street at an estimated speed of 80 mph. He crashed into 14 cars before crashing into the Connecticut River at the end of the street. Police pulled the driver from the river after the truck sank. The 35-year-old suspect was transported to a hospital in critical condition but recovered from the gunshots and other injuries. He was a former mental patient who had recently been released from a mental hospital after being treated for schizophrenia. He was adjudged insane and sent to the Bridgewater Mental Hospital for life. In less than a year, he was released. Officer Hamel was a United States Navy Reserve veteran of World War II and had served with the Springfield Police Department for over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, two brothers, three sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-6B29275B- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Leo. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Police Officer Hamel gave the Springfield Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield 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
Leo G. Hamel served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Leo G. Hamel 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Springfield Police Department, 7 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leo G. Hamel's cause is highlighted.
How Leo G. Hamel Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leo G. Hamel is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leo G. Hamel was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
