Officer Robert Devoid
1933 - 1970

36 years old
Tour of Duty: 2 1/2 years
Died on April 23, 1970

Cause of Death: Automobile Accident

Date of Incident: Thursday, April 23, 1970

Weapon Used : N/A

Suspect Info: N/A

Patrolman Devoid was a member of the Berlin Police Department for two-and one-half years. He was born September 13, 1933, in Berlin, New Hampshire and was a life long resident. He was a veteran of the Korean War, a member of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club. He was a member of the New Hampshire Police Association and the Coos County Law Enforcement Association. He was a graduate of Berlin High School, Class of 1951.

On the evening of April 23, 1970, Patrolman Devoid, along with Patrolman Dorman Wheelock, were traveling on Route 2 in Randolph. The two Berlin officers were on their way to Lancaster to pick up blood needed for a transfusion for Berlin Reporter Publisher Stevenson Munro who had been critically injured the week before. While Patrolman Wheelock was driving, the officers’ cruiser collided head-on with a vehicle carrying four teenagers. Both officers died in the collision, as did three of the teenagers in the other vehicle. Patrolman Devoid was 36 years old.

He was survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter.

Officer Dorman Wheelock
1930 - 1970

39years old
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Died on April 23, 1970

Cause of Death: Automobile Accident

Date of Incident: Thursday, April 23, 1970

Weapon Used : N/A

Suspect Info: N/A

Patrolman Wheelock was a member of the Berlin Police Department for 13 years. He was born April 12, 1930, in Lyme, New Hampshire and was a life long resident of Berlin. He was a veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the American Legion. He was also an Assistant Fire Warden and a member of the New Hampshire Police Association and the Coos County Law Enforcement Association. He was a graduate of Berlin High School, Class of 1950.

On the evening of April 23, 1970, Patrolman Wheelock, along with Patrolman Robert Devoid were traveling on Route 2 in Randolph. The two Berlin officers were on their way to Lancaster to pick up blood needed for a transfusion for Berlin Reporter Publisher Stevenson Munro who had been critically injured the week before. While Patrolman Wheelock was driving, the officers’ cruiser collided head-on with a vehicle carrying four teenagers. Both officers died in the collision, as did three of the teenagers in the other vehicle. Patrolman Wheelock was 40 years old.

Patrolman Wheelock was survived by his wife.

Sergeant Paul Brodeur
1929 - 1975

26 years old
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Died on August 13, 1975

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

Date of Incident: Wednesday, August 13, 1975

Weapon Used :N/A

Suspect Info: N/A

Sergeant Paul Brodeur a 19 year veteran the Berlin Police Department was 46 years old at the time of his death.

On August 12, 1975, while working the 3 to 11 shift, Sgt. Brodeur and another officer assisted an individual by carrying him in a stretcher chair to a second floor apartment. At approximately 9 p.m., Sgt. Brodeur began experiencing chest pains and drove himself to the hospital.

At 5 a.m. the following morning, Sgt. Brodeur pass away of a heart attack.

He was survived by his wife, two sons and seven daughters.