Middletown Sgt. Killed in Line of Duty Remembered

held gathering Saturday evening to remember the late Sgt. George Dingwall, on the 12th anniversary of his death in the line of duty.

A fresh blue and yellow chrysanthemum wreath was placed at the Dingwall Drive sign, with a card reading, "28-Jan-2000. We miss you George! Your brothers and sisters, Middletown PD."

On Jan. 28, 2000, Dingwall, 47, Badge #16, a 19-year officer of the Middletown Police Department was killed when his cruiser was forced off the roadway during a pursuit and struck a grove of trees, according to police.

The pursuit started when officers responded to a burglary call as the suspects fled the scene. Dingwall and several officers were pursuing the suspects when the suspect car rammed Dingwall's cruiser on Route 9, causing it to leave the roadway. State troopers immediately stopped to offer assistance and he was flown to a local hospital where he later died.

Police say officers continued pursuing the suspects until the chase was eventually ended on Interstate 95 when state police used stop sticks. Both assailants were taken into custody. In March 2002, the driver was sentenced to 32 years as a result of several charges relating to the incident. 

Dingwall was survived by his wife, young son and daughter. He was the first officer to be killed in the line of duty in the history of the Middletown Police Department. He was a charismatic supervisor who represented the true meaning of wearing a badge.

Police say he was a family man, a supervisor, and a friend who will always be missed.

The suspect was sentenced to 32 years in jail.

"Come home with your shields or on them" was Sergeant Dingwall's daily ending to a typical roll call. This quote embodies what every police officer should have on their mind to meet the daily challenges of this profession. Sergeant Dingwall gave the ultimate sacrifice a police officer could make and will always remain an example for police officers to aspire to be.

A section of I-91 in Middletown is named the "George Ross Dingwall Memorial Highway." A portion of College Street, from Main Street to Metro Square is called "Dingwall Drive," in memory of the police veteran.

Read more about Sgt. Dingwall here.