New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch: Thursday, October 16, 1890
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 15, 1890
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Lynched by citizens
Chief of Police David Hennessy was assassinated by members of the New Orleans mob near the intersection of Girod Street (present-day Loyola Avenue) and Basin Street.
He was walking home from the police department when he was ambushed and killed. It is believed he was killed to prevent testimony in a trial later in the week.
A total of nine men were charged with his murder. Six of the men were acquitted and three others were cleared in mistrials. All nine suspects and two other men were lynched by angry citizens after the trials.
Chief Hennessy had served with the New Orleans Police Department for 20 years. He had originally been hired as a messenger boy and worked his way up to chief of police. He was survived by his mother. He is buried in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana.