Prev
Incident
Turnkey Frederick Pfliiger was shot and killed by an inmate who was attempting to escape the State Prison at Charlestown.
The prisoner had been attending a religious service in the chapel. When the prisoners were returning to their cells, a count of the line revealed that the suspect was missing. The escape alarm was sounded and Turnkey Pfliiger ran to assist in the search. As Turnkey Pfliiger approached the suspect's hiding spot, the suspect appeared and opened fire, killing Turnkey Pfliiger. The suspect then exchanged several shots with other guards before he was finally taken into custody.
The suspect later told guards that he found the gun on a bench in the prison shop. He was serving a sentence of 15 to 18 years he received in 1927 for armed robbery. His criminal record dated back to 1921 when he was classified as a juvenile delinquent. On two occasions he shot it out with officers before he was arrested. He was convicted of Turnkey Pfliiger's murder and executed in the electric chair on December 3, 1929.
Turnkey Pfliiger had served with the Massachusetts Department of Correction for 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnm82nssvc0hvh74xdxj- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Fredrick. 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Turnkey Pfliiger gave the Massachusetts Department of Correction 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Milford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Turnkey Pfliiger.
— 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.
Fredrick is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Fredrick is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fredrick 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 1928, 3 officers at Massachusetts Department of Correction were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1928, 4 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fredrick was 41. 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. Fredrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Fredrick was 41. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Fredrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Fredrick was 41. 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. Fredrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fredrick was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fredrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.7% of these deaths at Massachusetts Department of Correction; December holds the most, 30.8%. Sundays: 15.4%.
November holds 9.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 14.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Massachusetts Department of Correction, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.5% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Massachusetts Department of Correction has 15 officers remembered here, Fredrick 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 12-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Massachusetts Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
