Springfield Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 29, 1908
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 8 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: September 29, 1908
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Reserve Officer Donovan was accidentally shot and killed by another officer while waiting for his assignment at headquarters. The other officer was retrieving his weapon after having it inspected. As he was putting it in its holster the weapon discharged and the round struck Reserve Officer Donovan in the chest. Reserve Officer Donovan was taken to a local hospital where he died 30 minutes later.
Reserve Officer Donovan had served with the Springfield Police Department for 8 months. He was survived by his wife and three children.