Prev
Sean Allen Collier
Incident
Patrol Officer Sean Collier was shot and killed during a large-scale manhunt for suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing.
At approximately 10:30 pm, one of the subjects approached Officer Collier as he sat in his patrol car and opened fire on him without warning, striking him several times. The subjects then attempted to steal his service weapon but were thwarted by his level-three holster.
The suspects then carjacked a vehicle and led police on a pursuit while throwing explosive devices at pursuing units. The pursuit ended in Watertown, where one suspect was killed, and a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police Officer was shot and seriously wounded in a gun battle. The second suspect was captured in Watertown the following evening after another shootout.
On April 10, 2014, Police Officer Dennis Simmonds of the Boston Police Department died of a brain aneurysm that may have resulted from a head injury he sustained during the shootout with the bombers. He had been struck in the head by shrapnel from a bomb that had been detonated during the shootout.
On April 8, 2015, the brother who was arrested was convicted of murdering Officer Collier and 29 other counts related to the original bombing and was later sentenced to death.
Officer Collier had served with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department for over one year, had previously served as a seasonal officer with the Hull Police Department for three summers, and had worked as a civilian employee of the Somerville Police Department. On August 22, 2013, he was posthumously sworn in as a Somerville police officer.
Officer Collier had served with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department for over one year, had previously served as a seasonal officer with the Hull Police Department for three summers, and had worked as a civilian employee of the Somerville Police Department. On August 22, 2013, he was posthumously sworn in as a Somerville police officer.
Survivors
Survivors include his parents and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnsyp2znbb93m54fhffn- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sean. 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
You barely got started.
Patrol Officer Collier gave the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Cambridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Collier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sean is the only officer of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department remembered here.
Sean is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Sean is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sean 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 2013, 1 officer in MA was killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sean was 26. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Sean had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Sean was 26. 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. Sean had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sean was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sean had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 6% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.1% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department are honored on badge.nw.