Lawrence Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Saturday, June 6, 1953
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 27 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: June 6, 1953
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 6 months
Officer Peter Manning was struck and killed by a vehicle while calling in at the end of his shift.
Officer Manning was on early night duty phoning in on a police call box. The call box was at Cross Street and Broadway. While reporting in, he observed a vehicle coming down Broadway operating in an erratic manner swerving from lane to lane. Officer Manning stepped into the street, with his flashlight, to flag down the vehicle. At that time the unknown suspect's vehicle drove straight into Officer Manning dragging him under the vehicle and crushing him to death.
An investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated. The driver was found guilty of DUI and vehicular homicide. He received six months in the county jail.
Officer Manning had served with the Lawrence Police Department for 27 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, two grandsons, three sisters, and two nieces.