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Incident
Trooper Joseph Gearty and Trooper Gary Parker were killed when their patrol car was crushed by a load of wood that had fallen from a tractor-trailer on Route 25 near the Wentworth/Warren town line. Trooper Gearty and Trooper Parker were transporting a prisoner when the tractor-trailer lost the load of wood that fell onto the patrol car. The prisoner was also killed in the accident. Trooper Gearty succumbed to his injuries the following day. The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with vehicular manslaughter but acquitted at trial. Trooper Gearty had served with the New Hampshire State Police for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 6-month-old son.
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.
Trooper Gearty gave the New Hampshire State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Hampshire. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Gearty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Hampshire State Police has lost 10 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 16 officers lost to accidents in NH, 27.1% of the 59 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1989, 2 officers at New Hampshire State Police were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 3 officers in NH were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1989, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 28. Of the 5 lost to accidents at New Hampshire State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 30. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Joseph was 28. Of the 15 lost to accidents in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 38.5; the middle age was 35. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at New Hampshire State Police; October holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
November holds 12.5% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 18.8%. Thursdays: 25%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at New Hampshire State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 59 deaths in NH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Hampshire State Police has 10 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Raymond Elliott
Jun 1, 1947
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Harold B. Johnson
Oct 11, 1948
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Ivan H. Hayes
Jul 18, 1959
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Richard Francis Champy
Feb 3, 1978
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Gary P. Parker
Nov 29, 1989
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Joseph Edward Gearty
Nov 30, 1989
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James Stanwood Noyes
Oct 3, 1994
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Scott Edward Phillips
Aug 19, 1997
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Leslie George Lord
Aug 19, 1997
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Jesse Edward Sherrill
Oct 28, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New Hampshire State Police are honored on badge.nw.
