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Patrolman

John Chapman

Rockland Police Department — Rockland, ME

Felonious

End of Watch February 16, 1938

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Chapman was shot and killed by a suspect he had arrested earlier in the day. Patrolman Chapman had arrested the 60-year-old suspect for public drunkenness. After being released from custody, the suspect returned home and obtained a handgun. He later confronted Patrolman Chapman in downtown Rockland. The suspect pointed the gun at Patrolman Chapman and said, "How quick are you on the draw?" Before Patrolman Chapman could react, the suspect shot him once in the head, killing him. The suspect was caught hours later and confessed to the crime at a little before 1 AM. After a brief committal in the state psychiatric hospital in Bangor, he pleaded guilty to murder in May 1938 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was denied a pardon on June 7, 1951.

In Our Keeping

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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 Chapman served with the Rockland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rockland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Chapman.

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

Agency

Department Rockland Police Department

Location Rockland, ME

Platform Identity rocklandpd.knox.me.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 16, 1938

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .32 caliber

Offender Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Patrolman John Chapman 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Rockland Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Rockland Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

ME — Statewide

of 102 officers

42.2% 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. John Chapman'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 John Chapman Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Chapman is highlighted in Feb.

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. John Chapman was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Rockland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.