Spencer Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch Wednesday, March 24, 1982
Add to My HeroesRichard Harold McEvoy
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.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Tuesday, September 14, 1971
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Released in 1981
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsDavid Prouty High School class of '63, Dick and I went off to Air Force basic training together in 1964. Dick survived one of the most difficult Air Force jobs of the '60s - doing air base perimeter defense in Vietnam.
After our stints our pathways verged. On returning to the states Dick had one driving ambition - to be a cop in our hometown. Dick's innate kindness and compassion toward an obvious mentally ill patient, sadly became the cause of his death. During the constant pain of his ensuing years, I had the humbling privilege of anointing him, bringing him Holy Communion, and then concelebrating his funeral at our home parish, St Mary's church, in Spencer. Dick, through the years I continue to offer the Liturgy for you. You were a friend and true hero - in Vietnam and in Spencer. May your memory be eternal
Rt. Rev. Lawrence G Gosselin, USAF (Ret)
Friend and classmate
July 6, 2020
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