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Incident
Prison Guard Walter Doucette was shot and killed with his own weapon while transporting two prisoners, 24 and 25, back to the prison in a taxi after their court appearance in the Dedham Superior Court. Guard Doucette was transported to City Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Both prisoners were apprehended 10 days later; one in Malden and the other in Providence, Rhode Island. Both blamed the other for the shooting. Both had been convicted of burglary six months earlier and sentenced to 12 years each. At the suspect's trial, the cab driver testified he was driving near Battery and Commercial Streets just after it had gotten dark when he saw the prisoners attack Guard Doucette in the back seat. He stopped at a nearby gas station and ran for help. He said he then saw Guard Doucette chase the prisoners to the back of the station, heard several gun shots, and then watched as the prisoners returned and stole his taxi. He then ran behind the station where he found Guard Doucette sitting on a loading dock, badly wounded. Both were convicted of murder and got a life sentence added to their terms. On June 8, 1936, one was transferred to the Bridgewater Insane Asylum where he died in 1962. The other was pardoned by Governor John A. Volpe on December 24, 1962. Guard Doucette had served with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Prison Guard Doucette gave the Massachusetts Department of Correction 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prison Guard Doucette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Massachusetts Department of Correction has lost 15 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 2 officers at Massachusetts Department of Correction were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 3.
In 1935, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
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
Walter was 43. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Massachusetts Department of Correction whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 50; the middle age was 46. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Walter was 43. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Walter was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 30.8% of these deaths at Massachusetts Department of Correction, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.4%.
December holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Massachusetts Department of Correction, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.5% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Massachusetts Department of Correction has 15 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Charles Lincoln, Jr. Jun 18, 1843
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Galen Carter Walker Dec 15, 1856
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Solon Tenney
Dec 29, 1856
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Wilfred Gerrior
Feb 13, 1928
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Eugene Amlaw Feb 13, 1928
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Fredrick Pfliiger Nov 11, 1928
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Lewis D. Richards
Dec 3, 1935
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Walter R. Doucette
Dec 24, 1935
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George Landry
Jan 1, 1942
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Howard V. Murphy
Jan 1, 1942
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Franklin L. Weston
Jan 1, 1942
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Alfred J. Baranowski
Jul 31, 1972
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James R. Souza
Jul 31, 1972
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Joseph Anthony Ribeiro, Sr.
Jun 25, 1998
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Michael Mellen
Aug 25, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Massachusetts Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
