Greenwich Police Honor The Fallen

Information via Greenwich Police Department

GREENWICH, CT— It is National Police Week, and the Greenwich Police Department is remembering those who have died in the line of duty.

The flag of the department and Honor Guard uniforms are emblazoned with three stars, each representing a Greenwich officer who was killed in the line of duty: Officer William Robbins, Officer Joseph McCormack and Det. James Butler.

Officer William J. Robbins- End of watch 5/17/29

During the early morning of May 14, 1929, Officer Robbins was on routine motorcycle patrol on the Post Road. A resident operating a motor vehicle struck Robbins while he was on patrol. He suffered a severe concussion and a broken femur in one leg as a result of the accident. Rushed to the hospital, he remained in an unconscious state for three days until his death from the traumatic head injury on May 17, 1929.

Officer Joseph McCormack - End of watch 1/1/44

On May 17, 1927, Officer McCormack was on duty with another officer when they made a routine motor vehicle stop. The three men in the car jumped out and ran. The officers caught one suspect, and the two others fled. While Officer McCormack stood guard of the arrested man at the scene, his partner walked to a call box a few blocks away to call Headquarters for assistance. While guarding the prisoner, a stolen vehicle drove up to McCormack. Two men jumped out, and shot McCormack in the back.

The prisoner and his cohorts sped away in the car they initially were driving. The bullet penetrated McCormack’s spine and left him paralyzed from the waist down until he died of his injuries. The three men were subsequently identified as members of a notorious gang of bandits out of Boston, Mass., and were eventually arrested and sent to prison for their crimes.

Det. James Butler

On Sunday, Jan. 16, 1950, Greenwich Police Detective James Butler and his partner, Det. Thomas Burke, responded to an address in the back-country of town on the report of theft. Shortly after beginning their investigation, the suspect in the case brandished a seven-shot .22 caliber pistol.

He fired four shots, one hitting Detective Burke in the side, grazing his stomach, and two penetrating Detective Butler’s stomach and intestines. As Detective Butler lay on the ground, he saw the assailant turning the gun back towards Burke, preparing to fire again. Butler drew his .38 pistol, getting off one shot at the assailant, which struck him in the neck and head, and killed him instantly. Butler died on April 18, 1954, as a direct result of the injuries he sustained during this incident.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum has held several virtual events throughout this week to honor police, including the 33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil on Thursday night.

Capt. Mark Zuccerella of the GPD noted that the number of officers killed in the line of duty in the U.S. has increased in 2021, and four officers were shot and killed across the country since May 10.

"Officers killed in the line of duty are the embodiment of 'Service Above Self,'" Zuccerella said.