Spencer Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 24, 1982
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 14, 1971
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Released in 1991
Patrolman Richard McEvoy succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on September 14th, 1971, while he and the police chief investigated a suspicious man standing outside of a gas station at 232 East Main Street, in East Brookfield. The chief was also shot and wounded during the incident.
The man was an escapee from a state mental hospital. After shooting the chief and Patrolman McElvoy, the subject took a woman hostage. He was sentenced to 36 to 40 years in prison but was released after serving only 10 years.
The shooting left Patrolman McEvoy paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. His condition continued to worsen and he eventually succumbed to his wounds.
Patrolman McEvoy was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Spencer Police Department for four years at the time of the shooting. He was survived by his wife.