Police Officer Thomas P. Mulrooney

Police Officer Thomas P. Mulrooney

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Friday, April 20, 1956

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Thomas P. Mulrooney

Police Officer Thomas Mulrooney succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained one month earlier when he interrupted a robbery in progress at a local tavern at the intersection of Ninth Street and Mullanphy Street.

He and his partner noticed a car with an open door in-front of the tavern. The officers closed the door and then went inside to tell the owner. As they entered two suspects were in the process of robbing the place and yelled at the officers to stop. Officer Mulrooney ran at the suspect as he opened his raincoat to get his revolver.

During the ensuing the struggle the suspect's shotgun discharged, striking Officer Mulrooney in the upper thigh. Both suspects fled but were later apprehended. Officer Mulrooney struggled for his life for over one month before contracting blood poisoning, causing his death.

Both suspects, 20 and 22, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. One was paroled in 1974. On December 2, 1974, he was shot and killed by a customer as he and another man were attempting to rob a St. Louis restaurant.

Officer Mulrooney was a WWI veteran and had been with the agency for 36 years. He was survived by his wife and children.

Bio

  • Age 66
  • Tour 36 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Friday, March 16, 1956
  • Weapon Shotgun
  • Offender Sentenced to life

robbery

Most Recent Reflection

View all 7 Reflections

We knew him as " Whitey" because of the color of his hair. He would usually be at the corner of 9th and Mullphany when we were getting out of school (St. Casmir's). He'd turn the stop signs and make sure we all got across the street safely. I was 10 years at the time but still remember the incident and going to the visitation at the funeral home on Natural Bridge. Haven 't forgot you "Whitey"

John R. Gacki
Student at St. Casmir's

April 12, 2018

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