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Incident
Reserve Policeman William Furdon was electrocuted when he attempted to pickup a fallen telephone line on Washington Street in the Brighton Hill area.
He was walking to call box 15 to take a call when he saw the wire and attempted to move it off of the sidewalk. He was electrocuted when he bent down to pick it up.
Policeman Furdon had served with the Newton Police Department for only three months and was filling in for several officers who were on vacation.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and six siblings.
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 Furdon served with the Newton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the West Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Furdon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Newton Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1906, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1906, 27 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 118th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1906, 40 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 24. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. William had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 24. 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. William had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 12.7% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Newton Police Department, the 2nd 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Newton Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Newton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
