Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Max Dorley was killed when his patrol car struck a utility pole on Admiral Street, near Huxley Avenue, as he responded to a disturbance call at approximately 9:20 am.
Two vehicles in front of him pulled to the side, however a third vehicle attempted to make a left turn in front of him, causing him to swerve. His vehicle left the roadway and struck the pole head-on, causing the pole to break in half and fall on the patrol car. He was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Sergeant Dorley had served with the Providence Police Department for 16 years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RI-0D8E10EA- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Maxwell. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Dorley gave the Providence Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Providence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Dorley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Maxwell Robert Dorley is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In RI, 23 of 55 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 41.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.8 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Providence Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Maxwell Robert Dorley's cause is highlighted.
How Maxwell Robert Dorley Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Maxwell Robert Dorley is highlighted in Apr.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Providence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
