Supervisor William O'Neil Memorial

August 19, 1981, marked one of the saddest days in Jaffrey Police history. In the wee hours of the morning, while responding to back up his partner on a burglary-in-progress call, Supervisor William E. O'Neil, Sr. gave his life in the line of duty. He is the only Jaffrey officer to have done so. He was killed when the cruiser he was driving skidded out of control into a tree on Turnpike Road just east of the Silver Ranch area.

Thirty-eight-year-old "Bill" O'Neil was a six-year veteran of the department, a loving husband and father of two children, ages twelve and seven at the time of his death. He was a grandson of Chief Hubert O'Neil. Officer O'Neil's funeral at the Rindge Congregational Church was attended by police officers from all over the Northeast. He was laid to rest on a warm summer day, just the kind of day he so enjoyed sharing with his young family. Friends and family members fondly remember Bill as a "gentle giant," who stood about six feet four and weighed over 200 pounds. His presence was certainly felt, for he was a warm and caring person.