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Incident
Patrolman Fred Mercer was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Charles River Parkway, at the intersection with Western Avenue, in Cambridge.
He was attempting to stop a speeding motorist when a truck turn into his path, causing him to collide with it. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later.
Patrolman Mercer had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, five brothers.
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.
Patrolman Mercer gave the Metropolitan Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mercer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Metropolitan Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Frederick is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 1 officer at Metropolitan Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1923, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1923, 83 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frederick was 42. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Metropolitan Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 39. Frederick had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Frederick was 42. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Frederick had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Frederick was 42. 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. Frederick had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frederick was 42. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frederick had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 14.3% of these deaths at Metropolitan Police Department; October holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Metropolitan 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 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Metropolitan Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Frederick among them.
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William Mateer
Jan 10, 1909
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John W. Powers
Aug 16, 1912
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Robert D. Stewart
Feb 8, 1913
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Irving B. Harding
Oct 11, 1918
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Frederick G. Mercer
Sep 20, 1923
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Thomas Joseph Sullivan
Oct 5, 1929
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Robert A. Edmonds
Dec 23, 1936
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Paul Michael Kennefick
Jul 14, 1982
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Robert P. Dana
Mar 25, 1984
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Joseph Elmer McCain
Oct 22, 2001
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Harold J. Collins
May 31, 2012
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Harold Francis MacGilvray, Jr.
Oct 11, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
