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Incident
Constable Adams was shot and killed by a man he ordered off a street car to investigate an extortion complaint a citizen had made against him. The street car motorman subdued the suspect and turned him over to the police. The suspect was sent to Bridgewater Hospital for the criminally insane.
Survivors
Constable Adams was survived by his wife and two 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 Adams gave the Chelmsford Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chelmsford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Donald is the only officer of Chelmsford Police Department remembered here.
Donald is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 4 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 27. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Donald had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Donald was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Chelmsford 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Chelmsford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.