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Incident
Patrolwoman Doreen Tomlinson was killed when she lost control of her patrol car during a high-speed chase on Power Road. When her patrol car went through a gravelly portion of the road, it fish-tailed, causing it to go out of control and struck a back-hoe and a utility pole. Patrolwoman Tomlinson had served with the Pawtucket Police Department for seven months. She was survived by her parents, four brothers, and one sister. Patrolwoman Tomlinson was the first woman law enforcement officer killed in Rhode Island. Her father was a Captain in the Pawtucket Police Department.
Survivors
She was survived by her parents, four brothers, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrolwoman Tomlinson served with the Pawtucket Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawtucket community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolwoman Tomlinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pawtucket Police Department has lost 7 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Doreen is one of 23 officers lost to accidents in RI, 41.8% of the 55 remembered there.
Doreen is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Doreen 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 1984, 1 officer in RI was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Doreen was 22. Of the 22 lost to accidents in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.3; the middle age was 34. Doreen had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Doreen was 22. 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. Doreen had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Doreen was 22. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Doreen had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 13% of these deaths in RI; December holds the most, 21.7%. Tuesdays: 34.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Pawtucket Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 41.8% of all 55 deaths in RI, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 13% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Her people
Pawtucket Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Doreen among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pawtucket Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
