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Incident
Constable John DeCarli succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous night when he was shot by a thief at a farm along West Road. A farmer had complained that several milk cans had been stolen from his barn over a period of several days. Constable DeCarli and the farmer staked out the barn and at approximately 10:00 pm observed a man stealing a milk can. When the two announced themselves the subject opened fire, striking Constable DeCarli in the leg and abdomen. Constable DeCarli was taken to Rockville General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. The subject fled and was arrested following a long manhunt in which he also wounded a Massachusetts State Police trooper. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison where he died of cancer in 1971. Constable DeCarli was an Italian immigrant and also served as a captain with the Ellington Fire Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Constable DeCarli gave the Ellington Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ellington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable DeCarli.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Ellington Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 4 officers in CT were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 50. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
John was 50. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.5% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Sundays: 13.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ellington Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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