Timothy L. Willard was 22 when he was killed on December 29, 1978, in Paris, Maine. A rookie officer with the Paris Police Department described as kind-hearted and gentle, Willard stopped a car in a manufacturing-plant parking lot after learning the driver, Norman Day, was operating with a suspended license. Day had previous minor encounters with Willard that had been resolved by holding him to sober up.

As Willard began the traffic stop, Day exited his vehicle and opened fire before Willard could get out of his patrol car, inflicting fatal wounds. The owner of the business intervened and shot and killed Day at the scene, so no arrest was made in Willard’s death.

Anyone who knew Officer Willard or witnessed the events at the plant is asked to share what they remember.