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Incident
Constable William Frawley succumbed to injuries sustained on April 11, 1936, during a struggle with a man he was attempting to arrest.
He and another officer had responded to a disturbance call at a local tavern and had placed a man under arrest. As they struggled with the man to get him into the patrol car Constable Frawley burst a blood vessel in his stomach. He died as a result of the injury on May 21, 1936.
Constable Frawley had served with the Westport Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Constable Frawley gave the Westport Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Westport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Frawley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Westport Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 2 officers in CT were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 35. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
William was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 13.5% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Thursdays: 18.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Westport Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 6.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Westport Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Westport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
