Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Wallace Mathews was killed when a vehicle crossed into his path and struck his police motorcycle head-on, on Route 20 west of the Westfield - Russell town line. Patrolman Mathews was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Massachusetts State Police for one year. He was killed the day before he was to be the best man in his brother's wedding. He was survived by his parents, sister, and three brothers. Patrolman Mathews' grandfather, Patrolman Charles Mathews, was killed in the line of duty on July 19th, 1921, while serving with the Natick Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-86CC8234- 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 Wallace. 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.
Patrolman Mathews gave the Massachusetts State Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Massachusetts, 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
Wallace E. Mathews served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Wallace E. Mathews is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MA, 158 of 469 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.7 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Massachusetts State Police, 25 of 38 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 65.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wallace E. Mathews's cause is highlighted.
How Wallace E. Mathews Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Wallace E. Mathews is highlighted in Apr.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from Massachusetts State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
