Patrolman John J. Gilhooly

John J. Gilhooly

Officer John J. Gilhooly and Officer Frank G. Rappaport 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 Officer Rappaport in the chest and Officer Gilhooly in the face and neck. The suspect then shot Officer Rappaport again as he lay on the ground, killing him.

Officer Gilhooly was transported to Billings Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. The suspect was later shot and killed by other officers.

Officer Gilhooly is survived by his father, brother, and sister.

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.