Collins

The State Police Association of Massachusetts

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May 19, 1942

A graduate of the 26^th Recruit Training Troop in 1934, Trooper Collins enjoyed a variety of duties across the Commonwealth, to include assignment to the office of then Governor Charles Hurley, for which he was very pleased indeed. By 1942, he was assigned to the Topsfield Barracks in Troop A, finally reaching a station close to his Beverly home. Additionally, Trooper Collins had just passed the Detective Lieutenants exam, and was looking forward to the appointment to this rank.

On May 18^th, 1942, a phone call was placed to the Topsfield barracks which set into motion a series of events which cost Trooper Collins his life. Officer Kneeland of the Georgetown Police Dept., had picked up a hitch hiker named Edward Rogers and intended to give Rogers a ride home. Much to Kneeland’s surprise, Rogers drew a gun and ordered Officer Kneeland to stop the car. Rogers then fled the car and disappeared. It was later learned that Rogers stopped another motorist at gunpoint and further forced the man to take Rogers to the motorist's home in Byfield. There, Rogers gathered all family members into the living room where he forced them to sit in chairs forming a semi-circle.

Trooper Collins, Trooper George Edwards and Chief Louis Holt of the Georgetown Police Dept. followed Rogers trail of abductions and arrived at the Byfield home a short time later. They surveyed the scene and observed a lone lit room in the middle of the home, speculating that this was the location of Rogers. The trio made plans to split up and enter the home at different locations and individually try to make for the lit room in hopes of surprising Rogers. Trooper Collins gained entry via the front door, Trooper Edwards used the wood shed entrance. Chief Holt tried the side door and found it locked, so he too entered the home via the front door, but well after Trooper Collins.

Trooper Collins was the first to reach the lit room; as he peeked through the draperies, he observed three men and three women seated silently in a semi-circle. Trooper Edwards, who was able to gain entry to the room adjacent to the subjects, heard the voice of Trooper Collins asking which subject was named Edward Rogers. Suddenly, Trooper Edwards heard three shots ring out. Then, the door to the next room opened and there stood the form of an unknown subject, silhouetted against the bright lights behind it. Suddenly, two flashes of light emitted from the dark form, and two thuds sounded into the door frame beside Trooper Edwards. He drew his own weapon and fired three shots in rapid succession, all three striking the subject. The man spun sideways, then turned and started running towards Trooper Edwards. As the subject lurched forward, he again sent fire from a revolver in each hand at Trooper Edwards. The rounds again missed their mark and again Trooper Edwards returned fire, emptying his revolver into the man. The subject Edward Rogers, was able to fire two more times before he collapsed dead at the feet of Trooper Edwards.

Trooper Edwards then entered the living room and found Trooper Collins lying on the floor with gunshot wounds; Chief Holt knelt beside him in an attempt to stop the gush of blood that ran from his blouse. Trooper Collins lost consciousness and was rushed to Anna Jacques hospital in Newburyport, some 10 miles away. As doctors worked to save the life of Trooper Collins, he regained consciousness and told of how Rogers had been sitting, with his arms folded, concealing the revolvers located in each of the subjects hands. Trooper Collins died in the early morning hours of May 19^th, 1942.

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