Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Forbes McLeod was shot and killed by several subjects who had just robbed the Needham Trust Company bank. The men had taken hostages and shot and killed Patrolman McLeod as they escaped in a vehicle and entered Needham Heights. Patrolman Francis Haddock was at the fire station talking with a firefighter. Upon seeing the uniformed men, the suspect opened fire with a machine gun, killing Patrolman Haddock. The subjects were convicted of first-degree murder and executed. Patrolman McLeod was a WWI veteran and had served with the Needham Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-D097363B- 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.
Patrolman McLeod gave the Needham Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Needham 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
Forbes A. McLeod served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Forbes A. McLeod 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 Needham Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Forbes A. McLeod's cause is highlighted.
How Forbes A. McLeod Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Forbes A. McLeod is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Forbes A. McLeod was killed by rifle; machine gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Needham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
