Remembering 2 Framingham Officers Killed In The Line Of Duty

FRAMINGHAM, MA—President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962, and the week surrounding it as National Police Week.

It was established by a joint resolution of Congress, paying recognition to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In honor of National Police Week, Patch is remembering and paying tribute to the fallen officers of our Massachusetts towns and cities.

Two members of the Framingham Police Department have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Sgt. Robert J. Zinck lost his life to carbon monoxide poisoning on April 26, 1968, when he was assigned to a post during a labor dispute. He had been on the Framingham force for ten years and left behind his wife and four kids.

Patrolman William Welch was shot and killed on Feb. 3, 1923. At 3:30 a.m. he was called to investigate a call about a suspicious person at McGrath Square. Welch took the man to Roxbury House and called police headquarters. While Welch was on the phone, the man took off. When Welch caught up with the suspect, the man pulled out a gun and shot him. That suspect was arrested, faced a trial, but was acquitted. Later, the same man was convicted of shooting another man and died while in prison. It is reported that the man confessed to killing Welch while on his deathbed. Welch had been with Framingham police for 15 years and left a wife and three children.

“Police officers are aware of the increase in violence against law enforcement recently," said Framingham's Acting Police Chief Steven D. Trask. "I think it is in the back of their mind every minute they are working and they take steps to reduce their risk. I think the increase in violence has more of an affect on the families of police officers as they worry about their loved ones more.”

Information and photos used with permission, Officer Down Memorial Page.