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Incident
Patrolman William Mateer drowned while attempting to rescue a fisherman who had fallen through the ice on Ponkapoag Pond in Canton. The fisherman also drowned in the incident.
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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.
Patrolman Mateer served with the Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mateer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Metropolitan Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1909, 1 officer at Metropolitan Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1909, 1 officer in MA was lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1909, 24 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 119th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1909, 32 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 119th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at Metropolitan Police Department; October holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 14.3%.
January holds 4.4% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Sundays: 14.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Metropolitan Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Metropolitan Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William Mateer
Jan 10, 1909
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John W. Powers
Aug 16, 1912
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Robert D. Stewart
Feb 8, 1913
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Irving B. Harding
Oct 11, 1918
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Frederick G. Mercer
Sep 20, 1923
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Thomas Joseph Sullivan
Oct 5, 1929
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Robert A. Edmonds
Dec 23, 1936
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Paul Michael Kennefick
Jul 14, 1982
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Robert P. Dana
Mar 25, 1984
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Joseph Elmer McCain
Oct 22, 2001
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Harold J. Collins
May 31, 2012
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Harold Francis MacGilvray, Jr.
Oct 11, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
