Trooper George L. Hanna, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts

Trooper George L. Hanna

Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts

End of Watch Saturday, February 26, 1983

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George L. Hanna

Trooper George Hanna was shot and killed while searching three subjects during a traffic stop near the intersection of Route 12 and Route 20 in Auburn, Massachusetts.

Unbeknownst to Trooper Hanna, the three men had been searching for a local business to rob. As he found a weapon on the first man, the second man pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and shot Trooper Hanna. All three subjects, 33, 33, and 20, were arrested and sentenced to life in prison with no parole.

Trooper Hanna was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Massachusetts State Police for nine years assigned to C Troop. He was survived by his wife and three children.

The George Hanna Award was named in honor of Trooper Hanna and is the highest medal a Massachusetts law enforcement officer can receive.

Route 12 and 20 in Auburn was named in his honor. A portion of I-290 in Worcester and a bridge in Natick are also named in his honor.

Bio

Age 36
Tour 9 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

traffic stop

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Most Recent Reflection

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Dad I miss you so much today on a day that I had to face one of your Killers at a Parole Hearing. Trying to get out on the Mattis Law because he was 20 years old at the time. It was one of the toughest things I have had to do in my life. I hope my speech made you proud and that he stays in for another five years without the possibility of parole.

Deborah Hanna
Eldest Daughter

January 15, 2026