Patrolman Dennis J. McInerney

Dennis J. McInerney

Patrolman Dennis McInerney was shot and killed and his partner was wounded as they responded to a disturbance at a carnival on the fringe of the French Quarter. A 19-year-old youth was threatening a family with a gun and had shot their 13-year-old little boy. As Officer Dennis McInerney and his partner arrived they were met with gunfire before they could exit their vehicle. Patrolman McInerney and his partner returned fire hitting the suspect in the leg. The suspect was apprehended at the scene.

The family's son was transported to a hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his foot and released. The carnival closed. The New Orleans Police Chief said the suspect, who had recently been paroled, was a big mistake because of his extensive juvenile record. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1977 his sentence was commuted to life. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5 to 4 decision that states could not make the death sentence mandatory for persons convicted of killing police officers.

Patrolman McInerney had served with the agency for seven years and had previously served with the United States Army. He was survived by his wife and two children.