Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation

William McNamara

Officer

Stamford

End of Watch: 12/17/1973

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Officer McNamara was accidentally shot by his partner while they were stopping an armed robbery in a hotel lobby.

Officer William M. McNamara was a member of the Stamford Police Department. Officer McNamara and his partner were dispatched to an armed robbery at Tower Liquor on Washington Boulevard. A man held up a clerk at gunpoint. He then took the clerk, at gunpoint, out of the rear door of the liquor store. Witnesses called the police. The robber was in the Hotel Hazelton lobby when Officer McNamara’s partner entered the hotel. His partner saw the robber holding the clerk at gunpoint. The robber stepped back a few steps and pointed his gun at the officer. The officer shot at the armed robber hitting him in the arm and causing him to fall to the ground. At that moment the officer saw another gun out of the corner of his eye. Thinking it was another suspect, the officer fired, hitting Officer McNamara in the chest. Officer McNamara apparently approached from a small room off the hotel lobby to gain a better angle on the suspect. Officer McNamara was rushed to Stamford Hospital where he died in surgery from his wounds.

His partner was cleared of any wrongdoing and Officer McNamara’ death was ruled accidental.