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Incident
Patrolman DiNapoli responded as backup to a disturbance call where two suspects were arguing on a street corner. Patrolman DiNapoli was in his unmarked patrol cruiser when he spotted one of the suspects on foot. The suspect, realizing he was being followed, turned and fired several shots into the cruiser. Patrolman DiNapoli was struck several times. He was transported to the closest hospital where he died a few hours later.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer DiNapoli gave the Holyoke Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Holyoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer DiNapoli.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Holyoke Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1999, 1 officer in MA was killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1999, 58 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 133rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1999, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 52. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 52. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Holyoke Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Holyoke Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Holyoke Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
