Prev
Franklin L. Weston
Incident
Correctional Officer Franklin Weston, Correctional Officer George Landry, and Correctional Officer Howard Murphy were stabbed to death at the Massachusetts State Farm in Bridgewater. The three officers were working in the Department of Defective Delinquents section of the farm at the time. Officer Weston had gone with two inmates to carpentry and shoe shop to fix a light. He turned his back to the inmates to screw the light bulb in and was attacked by one of the men and knocked unconscious. The inmates then grabbed several tools and chisels. Before fleeing they stabbed Officer Weston ten times with a chisel. As they attempted to make their escape they were confronted by Officer Murphy and Officer Landry. Officer Murphy caught them as they headed towards the third floor of the building. The men suddenly turned around and stabbed Officer Murphy with the chisels as well. They also stabbed Officer Landry when he came to the aid of Officer Murphy. The suspects were eventually apprehended after a standoff with the state police. Both inmates were executed on January 1, 1947, for the three murders. Officer Weston had been with the Massachusetts Department of Correction for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, and five grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnf0q7fn97prds6vvfxy- 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.
Correctional Officer Weston gave the Massachusetts Department of Correction 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Weston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Massachusetts Department of Correction has lost 15 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Franklin is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 3 officers at Massachusetts Department of Correction were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1942, 5 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Franklin was 62. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Massachusetts Department of Correction whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 50; the middle age was 46. Franklin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Franklin was 62. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Franklin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Franklin was 62. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Franklin was 62. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 23.1% of these deaths at Massachusetts Department of Correction; December holds the most, 30.8%. Thursdays: 23.1%.
January holds 7.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Massachusetts Department of Correction, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 30.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 3% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Massachusetts Department of Correction has 15 officers remembered here, Franklin among them.
-
Charles Lincoln, Jr. Jun 18, 1843
-
Galen Carter Walker Dec 15, 1856
-
Solon Tenney
Dec 29, 1856
-
Wilfred Gerrior
Feb 13, 1928
-
Eugene Amlaw Feb 13, 1928
-
Fredrick Pfliiger Nov 11, 1928
-
Lewis D. Richards
Dec 3, 1935
-
Walter R. Doucette
Dec 24, 1935
-
George Landry
Jan 1, 1942
-
Howard V. Murphy
Jan 1, 1942
-
Franklin L. Weston
Jan 1, 1942
-
Alfred J. Baranowski
Jul 31, 1972
-
James R. Souza
Jul 31, 1972
-
Joseph Anthony Ribeiro, Sr.
Jun 25, 1998
-
Michael Mellen
Aug 25, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Massachusetts Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
