Officer James Peterson
On September 12, 1962, Officer James Peterson and his partner Herbert Menezes were dispatched to a call for service in the area of Slades Ferry Avenue due to extreme traffic concerns. The stressful traffic issues were due to the grand opening of a new grocery store. The location of this traffic issue was adjacent to the Brightman Street Bridge which was a four lane draw bridge that connected the Town of Somerset to the City of Fall River. It was imperative that these two officers alleviate the traffic from the Brightman Street Bridge due to the fact that it was a draw bridge which opened frequently due to coal ships delivering to the Somerset Power Plant located on the Taunton River. To make matters worse, it was an extremely warm day for this time of the season. As the officers were clearing that call, Officer Peterson advised Officer Menezes that he had pain in his upper chest area. Shortly thereafter, Officer Menezes, who was seated in the front passenger seat of the police cruiser, indicated that Officer Peterson passed out behind the wheel. Officer Menezes was able to grab the wheel and safely stop the vehicle. Officer Menezes rushed Officer Peterson to Dr. Americo Almeida’s office which was located on County Street in Somerset. Officer Peterson was ultimately transported, by the Somerset Fire Department, to Union Hospital (now known as Charlton Memorial Hospital). At approximately 6 P.M., Officer Peterson was pronounced deceased. Medical Examiner, Dr. Arthur LaSalle, indicated that cause of the death was due to an acute coronary attack.
Somerset Police Chief John O. Soares was quoted as saying that Officer Peterson was a very conscientious and thorough police officer who often gave of his own time to see that his job was well done. As an example of this, a newspaper article was discovered that indicated that Officer Peterson had responded to a home where a 7-month-old child had fallen from her crib causing a cut to the child’s head. Officer Peterson was said to have wrapped the baby in a blanket, brought her to the hospital, and held her while the doctor’s applied stitches. The article also indicated that Officer Peterson called the parent’s later that same evening to make sure the child was okay.
Officer Peterson was survived by his wife, Arlene Peterson (Shutt), daughters Cynthia Ann (age 9) and Nancy Jean (age 7). Police delegations from Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, Massachusetts State Police and Registry Police formed a procession on Robeson Street in Fall River to honor Officer Peterson
