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Incident
Police Officer Francis Fenton was shot and killed when he intervened after an armed man threatened a tavern owner at 140 Homestead Avenue. Although he was off duty and unarmed, Officer Fenton attempted to convince the man to turn over his weapon. The man shot him and then kicked him as he lay wounded on the floor. The subject was captured by two detectives a short time later. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 19, 1969. He was paroled after serving a short portion of his sentence. Officer Fenton had the Hartford Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Fenton gave the Hartford Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Fenton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hartford Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Francis is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Francis 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 1969, 1 officer at Hartford Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1969, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 44. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Hartford Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 41; the middle age was 37. Francis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Francis was 44. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Francis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Francis was 44. 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. Francis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Hartford Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Fridays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Hartford Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16.2% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Hartford Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Francis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hartford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
