Boston Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch Thursday, January 13, 1898
Add to My HeroesCornelius F. Regan
Patrolman Cornelius Regan passed away after contracting spinal meningitis after rescuing a drowning man from the Charles River early on Christmas morning.
He was on patrol near the old Charlestown Bridge at 2:15 am when he heard a man shouting. He ran to the center of the bridge, where he observed a man struggling in the icy river 20 feet below.
After taking off his belt, Patrolman Regan climbed down a bridge pylon to the water. He was able to pull the man to the bridge using his belt, at which point he discovered the man was too drunk to assist himself in any way. Despite getting soaked with the ice-cold water, Patrolman Regan was able to secure a boat which brought them both to shore.
Patrolman Regan began feeling ill the following day. His condition worsened and it was determined that he contracted spinal meningitis as a result of his exposure to the cold. He passed away on January 13th, 1898.
Patrolman Regan had served with the Boston Police Department for four years in Division 13, Headquarters, Division 5, and was assigned to Division 1 when he passed. He was survived by his wife and five children.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 13 years, 11 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Duty related illness
- Incident Date Saturday, December 25, 1897
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsNever forgotten by the Officers of the Boston Police Department
P.O. Robert E. Anthony Historian
January 13, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Walter Jenkins
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022