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Incident
Police Officer Bruce Hanley collapsed while chasing a suspect on September 19, 1982, after rupturing a lung wall. After collapsing, Officer Hanley lapsed into a coma which he stayed in for 15 years until his death on December 12, 1997. The Waterbury Police Department kept Officer Hanley as a member of the department while he was in the coma. Officer Hanley had served with the Waterbury Police Department for only 1 year at the time of the incident.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Hanley gave the Waterbury Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hanley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Watertown Police Department has lost 11 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Bruce is one of 7 officers lost to illness in CT, 4.1% of the 169 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer in CT was lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 1997, 3 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 33rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1997, 4 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 134th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Bruce was 45. Of the 7 lost to illness in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 44.5 and 53.5; the middle age was 48. Bruce had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Bruce was 45. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Bruce had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Bruce was 45. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Bruce had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 28.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 9.1% of all 11 deaths at Watertown Police Department, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.1% of all 169 deaths in CT, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Watertown Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Bruce among them.
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Paul Mendelssohn
Mar 8, 1903
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Daniel J. Lane
Aug 7, 1913
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John F. Donahue
Aug 2, 1920
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William J. Stokes
May 2, 1925
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Matthew J. McNally
Nov 20, 1930
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Edward F. Ryan
Jan 27, 1933
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John E. Palmatier
Jul 20, 1941
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Frank D. Romano
Nov 22, 1958
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Leonard J. LaManna
Nov 18, 1961
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Walter T. Williams, III
Dec 18, 1992
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Bruce Hanley
Dec 13, 1997
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
