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Incident
Sheriff John Webster and Deputy Sheriff Edwin Finn drowned when their boat capsized in Green Lake.
The two were returning to Ellsworth after interviewing two men at Camp Comfort about a burglary that had occurred at another camp the previous week. Sheriff Webster did not suspect the two men at Camp Comfort, but wanted to interview them for additional information about the area.
Sheriff Webster and Deputy Finn went to the camp on foot and interviewed the men. It is believed that they then borrowed a boat from the men in order to return to Ellsworth, using the lake as a shortcut. The winds on the lake were extremely strong and caused the boat to capsize. The two men in the camp heard the lawmen in distress and attempted to rescue them when their boat also capsized. All four drowned in the lake.
Sheriff Webster had been elected the previous year and had taken office on January 1, 1911.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 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.
Sheriff Webster served with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ellsworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Webster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hancock County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 33 officers lost to accidents in ME, 38.4% of the 86 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1911, 2 officers in ME were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1911, 29 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1911, 42 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 43. Of the 31 lost to accidents in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 33. John had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 43. 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. John had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 21.2% of these deaths in ME, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 24.2%.
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 100% of all 3 deaths at Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 38.4% of all 86 deaths in ME, 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
Hancock County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hancock County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
