Charles J. Collins
Agency patch
Patrolman

Charles J. Collins

Massachusetts State Police — Framingham, MA
Felonious
End of Watch May 20, 1942
Age 33
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 79 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Charles Collins was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had pulled a gun on another officer and carjacked a vehicle. Patrolman Collins and other officers went to a house, in Byfield, where the man fled, and as they entered the home, Patrolman Collins was shot and killed. The suspect was shot and killed by another Trooper. Patrolman Collins had been with the Massachusetts State Police for eight years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-D3FF7C49
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Collins gave the Massachusetts State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Massachusetts. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Collins.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Framingham, MA
Platform Identity masp.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 20, 1942
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; Revolver
Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Charles J. Collins 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 Massachusetts State Police, 7 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 18.4% of this agency's fallen.

Massachusetts State Police
7
of 38 officers
18.4% Felonious
MA — Statewide
199
of 469 officers
42.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles J. Collins's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Charles J. Collins Compares

Age at End of Watch
33
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles J. Collins is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles J. Collins was killed by handgun; revolver.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518