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Incident
Patrolman Timothy Donovan was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating an accident at the Northern Artery Bridge.
He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Patrolman Donovan had served with the Somerville Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Donovan gave the Somerville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Donovan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Somerville Police Department has lost 3 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, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Timothy was 44. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Timothy was 44. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Timothy was 44. 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 5 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%. Fridays: 19.6%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Somerville 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Somerville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Timothy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Somerville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
