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Incident
Captain Wells suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting at the scene of a fire. He collapsed after helping firemen perform their duties. He was taken to a nearby home where he died shortly after a physician tended to him.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
38 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Wells gave the Newburyport Police Department 38 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Newburyport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Wells.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Newburyport Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Charles is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Charles is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 1 officer in MA was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 1950, with 2.
In 1920, 5 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 89th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1920, 5 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 89th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Charles was 64. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Charles had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Charles was 64. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Charles had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Charles was 64. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Charles had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 13.6% of these deaths in MA; June holds the most, 18.2%. Thursdays: 20.5%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.5%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Newburyport Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Newburyport Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Newburyport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
