Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Michael Dowd succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 12 days earlier when he interrupted a burglary at a liquor store at the corner of Highland Avenue and Willow Avenue. Officer Dowd had been checking the door and windows of a liquor store at about 2:35 am when he came across the subject. While being questioned, the man suddenly produced a gun and shot him in the side, inflicting a mortal wound. The suspect fled the scene as Officer Dowd made his way to a call box. He was able to report the incident to responding officers. The subject escaped and was never apprehended. Officer Dowd was a WWI veteran and had served with the Somerville Police Department for 27 years.
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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 Dowd gave the Somerville Police Department 27 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerville 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
Michael J. Dowd, Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Officer Michael J. Dowd, Jr. is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,588 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 11.5 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Somerville Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. Dowd, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Michael J. Dowd, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. Dowd, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. Dowd, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Michael J. Dowd, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael J. Dowd, Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Somerville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
