Prev
Incident
Officer Timothy Shepard died when he was overcome by heat stroke and dehydration while training during his first day at the former Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy, at 702 South Westfield Street, in Agawam. Cadets in the class reported they were pushed to the limits of their endurance with hours of running, push-ups and other exercises that day on just a few small cups of water. Fifteen other cadets of the class of fifty were hospitalized for exhaustion and dehydration. Officer Shepard had undergone a liver transplant, lapsed into a coma, and later died from complications.
Survivors
Officer Shepard was survived by his expectant wife, mother, father, two brothers, and two sisters at the time of his passing.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnb22b3rmytgnx4r13v9- 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 Timothy. 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.
Officer Shepard served with the Pittsfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Shepard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pittsfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Timothy is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Timothy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Timothy 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 1988, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Timothy was 25. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Timothy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Timothy was 25. 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. Timothy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Timothy was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Timothy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.9% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Pittsfield 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
Pittsfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Timothy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pittsfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
