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Incident
Sergeant Michael Towner succumbed to injuries sustained six weeks earlier while struggling with a violent subject at a basketball game.
He and another officer were working security at the game. After removing a vocally abusive subject the officers attempted to arrest him. During the ensuing struggle, Sergeant Towner and the suspect both slipped on a patch of ice. The suspect then fled but was caught a short distance away and arrested.
Sergeant Towner began experiencing shortness of breath. He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency heart surgery. He remained in the hospital until passing away on April 7th, 2009.
Sergeant Towner had served with the Worcester Police Department for 33 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Towner gave the Worcester Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Worcester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Towner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Worcester Police Department has lost 9 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Michael is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Michael is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2009, 1 officer in MA was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 1950, with 2.
In 2009, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2009, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Michael was 58. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Michael had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Michael was 58. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Michael had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Michael was 58. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Michael had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 6.8% of these deaths in MA; June holds the most, 18.2%. Tuesdays: 6.8%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at Worcester Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 22.7% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Worcester Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Worcester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
