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Incident
Patrolman John Bennett succumbed to injuries sustained 25 days earlier when he was struck by a vehicle while on duty in front of Salem High School at 3:00 pm. He remained in a coma from the time of the incident until his death. Patrolman Bennett had served with the Salem Police Department for 30 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Bennett gave the Salem Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Salem community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bennett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Salem Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1955, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1955, 74 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 57. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 57. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 57. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Salem Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Salem Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Salem Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
