Prev Next
Franklin B. Dreyer
Agency patch
Patrolman

Franklin B. Dreyer

Boston Police Department — Roxbury Crossing, MA
Felonious
United States flag Massachusetts flag
End of Watch April 24, 1930
Age 31
The Vigil Panel 133 · Column 2 · Line 18 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 105

Incident

Patrolman Franklin Dreyer was shot in the chest while investigating a break-in at a store at Adams and Ashmont Streets. Patrolman Dreyer entered through the rear of the store when he found it jimmied open. Upon entering the store, he was fired on and took a round to his right wrist. He transferred his weapon over to his left hand and fired at the suspect, who fired again and hit Patrolman Dreyer in the chest. As he fell to the ground, Patrolman Dreyer emptied his revolver, although it was later determined that he did not hit the suspect. The suspect fled out the rear of the store. A witness who heard the shots ran to the downed officer. Patrolman Dreyer gave the witness his box keys and told him to go to the call box across the street and call in for help. Officers arrived on the scene and transported Patrolman Dreyer to the hospital where he passed away from his injuries. Patrolman Dreyer was survived by his wife and three sons. He is buried at New Calvary Cemetery in Mattapan, Massachusetts. A Hero sign is posted on Adams and Ashmont Street District 11 in his honor.

Survivors

Patrolman Dreyer was survived by his wife and three sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmtqgxhzssvjv538z0ts
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Franklin. 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.
Patrolman Dreyer served with the Boston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dreyer.

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

Agency

Department Boston Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Roxbury Crossing, Suffolk County, MA
Platform Identity bpd.suffolk.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 24, 1930
Age 31
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Franklin is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Franklin was 31. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Boston Police Department has 106 officers remembered here, Franklin among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Franklin B. Dreyer

Boston Police Department · End of Watch April 24, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E

↑