Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Westlake was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to the sounds of shots being fired. He and his partner were walking a beat along the old Narragansett Pier where casinos were located at the time. There was a fight in a nearby bar between two local men and two U.S. Army soldiers, during which, a soldier pulled his gun and fired at one of the men but didn't hit him. Patrolman Westlake and his partner were alerted to the shots and ran to investigate. The soldier with the gun ran off with the officers in pursuit. During the chase, the soldier fired at the two officers, killing Patrolman Westlake and wounding his partner. The soldier was later apprehended and charged with murder. The soldier, who claimed he thought the officers were two tramps he earlier had trouble with, was tried and acquitted.
Survivors
Patrolman Westlake was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RI-DB82E085- 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 Westlake served with the Narragansett Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Narragansett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Westlake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph J. Westlake 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 RI, 25 of 55 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this state's fallen. That is 8.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph J. Westlake's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph J. Westlake Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph J. Westlake is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph J. Westlake was killed by gun; unknown type.