Patrolman Frank Gershon Rappaport

Frank Gershon Rappaport

Patrolman Frank Rappaport and Officer John Gilhooly were ambushed by a member of the radical group Black Panthers on a false call of a 'man with a gun'.

As the officers entered a gangway between two buildings, the man opened fire with a shotgun from a porch below, striking Patrolman Rappaport in the chest and Patrolman Gilhooly in the face and neck. The suspect then shot Patrolman Rappaport again as he lay on the ground, killing him.

Patrolman Gilhooly was transported to Billings Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. Patrolman Gilhooly's killer was shot and killed in an exchange with other officers.

The Black Panthers is a racist, radical group that professed the murders of law enforcement officers. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of at least 15 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation.