Boston Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Friday, May 25, 1962
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 1308
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 25, 1962
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death
Patrolman John Gallagher was shot by a burglar at Shawmut Bank in Kenmore Square when responding to an alarm.
The subject ambushed Patrolman Gallagher in the basement and shot him once in the chest, and then in the knee. Patrolman Gallagher died at Beth Israel Hospital.
The man was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison. He died while incarcerated.
Patrolman Gallagher had served with the Boston Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and three children.