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Incident
Chief of Police Frederick Towle suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public.
Chief Towle was off duty at the time and walking down Main Street with his teenage daughter when he observed the intoxicated man in a vehicle on Main Street. After removing the man from the car to arrest him, a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Chief Towle collapsed.
Chief Towle had served with the Colebrook Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Chief of Police Towle gave the Colebrook Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colebrook community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Towle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Frederick is the only officer of Colebrook Police Department remembered here.
Frederick is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in NH, 23.7% of the 59 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1956, 1 officer in NH was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1956, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1956, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Frederick was 52. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 52.8; the middle age was 46.5. Frederick had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Frederick was 52. 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. Frederick had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Frederick was 52. 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. Frederick had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 14.3% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 21.4%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Colebrook Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 23.7% of all 59 deaths in NH, the 3rd 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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