Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Merritt Hayden succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when two inmates attacked him while escaping from the old Hampden County Jail at the base of York Street along the Connecticut River.
Two inmates hid in a room next to the recreation yard. As soon as Guard Hayden climbed down from the guard tower, one struck him on the head with a club. The two inmates, 21 and 24, escaped. One was captured two hours later, and the other was apprehended in Roanoke, Virginia, five weeks later. Both were serving a short term in jail for carrying concealed weapons.
The 21-year-old was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. Governor Paul A. Dever pardoned him on November 25, 1952.
The 24-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. During his trial, his brother, 26, ran into the courtroom and threw two bombs at the Hamden County Sheriff. When they failed to go off, he produced a revolver and shot the sheriff in the leg. Another officer subdued the suspect, who was convicted of several charges, including attempted murder, and sentenced to 25 years. On May 29, 1934, the inmate escaped again but was captured a few months later. He was executed on February 19, 1935.
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MA-D1B51AD5- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Hayden served with the Hampden County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Hayden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Merritt W. Hayden 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 Hampden County Sheriff's Office, 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. Merritt W. Hayden's cause is highlighted.
How Merritt W. Hayden Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed 1935
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merritt W. Hayden is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merritt W. Hayden was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hampden County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
