Prev
Incident
Special Officer George Pray was shot and killed while attempting to take a man into custody in the neighboring town of Madbury, New Hampshire.
The subject had escaped from the Concord Insane Asylum several years earlier but had been permitted to live at home in Madbury with a guardian. The subject had become increasingly difficult to control, and the guardian requested assistance from the Dover city marshal.
Special Officer Pray was sent to the home, along with an assistant, to return the man to the asylum. They entered the house and found the subject eating dinner. The man immediately ran upstairs, and the two chased after him. As Officer Pray reached the top of the stairs, the subject exited a room and shot Officer Pray in the chest, inflicting a fatal wound.
The man escaped from the home but was arrested a short time later, hiding in his father's barn. He was returned to the Concord Insane Asylum, where he remained until dying in 1928.
Special Officer Pray was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Special Officer Pray was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq4wz7gjg1xv8d72x0vq- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Officer Pray served with the Dover Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dover community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
George is the only officer of Dover Police Department remembered here.
George is one of 23 officers killed feloniously in NH, 39% of the 59 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1888, 1 officer in NH was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1997, with 3.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 32. Of the 22 killed feloniously in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 54.8; the middle age was 48.
George was 32. 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.
George was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 4.3% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 21.7%. Mondays: 21.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Dover Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 39% of all 59 deaths in NH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 17.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Dover Police Department are honored on badge.nw.