Police Officer Thomas Devlin
Boston College Police Department
Massachusetts
End of Watch: Friday, April 6, 2007

Biographical Info
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 21 years
Badge Number: 127

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Exposure to toxins
Date of Incident: Tuesday, September 20, 1988
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: At large

Officer Thomas Devlin succumbed to injuries sustained in September 1988 when he was exposed to military-grade teargas that had been set off in the ventilation system of a college dormitory.

Officer Devlin was one of the first officers to respond to the scene and immediately assisted with evacuating residents from the dormitory.

The exposure to the chemicals caused Officer Devlin to suffer burns to over 65% of his lungs. He was hospitalized several times with viral infections as a result of the injuries.

The person who set off the tear gas was never identified and remains at large.

His lungs suffered further damage in May 1999 when he responded to a fire in another residence hall and was exposed to the smoke while evacuating residents. He was hospitalized again after that incident and was forced to medically retire in 2004.

Officer Devlin had served with the Boston College Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, brother, and two sisters.