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Incident
Chief of Police Robert Mortell was shot and killed after locating three burglary suspects on Kendall Road in Holden. Chief Mortell was responding to the call from a neighboring department, and as he turned the corner to the residence where the burglary had occurred, in a wooded area, he spotted one of the suspects. He was confronting one of the subjects at gunpoint when the man opened fire, killing him. All three subjects were arrested. The subject who shot and killed Chief Mortell was sentenced to life without parole. Another subject was convicted of second-degree murder and was denied parole in 2023. The other accomplice was found guilty of armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and larceny and was paroled in 2023. A Boston police officer, while on his way home from the funeral of Chief Mortell, apprehended a suspect who had just shot and killed Police Officer Berisford Anderson of the Boston Police Department. Chief Mortell was an instructor at the in-service academy at Mt. Wachusett Community College, served as the town of Paxton D.A.R.E. Officer, and was a high honors graduate of the Quinsigamond Community College Criminal Justice Program. He had served with the Paxton Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
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.
Chief of Police Mortell gave the Paxton Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Paxton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Mortell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Robert is the only officer of Paxton Police Department remembered here.
Robert is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1994, 4 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 38. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Robert was 38. 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. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.6% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Paxton Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.6% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Paxton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.