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Incident
On October 20, 2000, Lieutenant Galvin and the bomb squad were participating in a training exercise to destroy 1,500 pounds of three-year old fireworks. While unloading the fireworks into a pit, something triggered an explosion on the transport truck, and all of the fireworks ignited. Lieutenant Galvin received second and third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body. He was transported to a local hospital where he died of his injuries two weeks later on November 4, 2000. A second officer was also wounded but recovered.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Galvin gave the Wichita Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Galvin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wichita Police Department has lost 24 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in KS, 19.7% of the 335 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2000, 1 officer at Wichita Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 2.
In 2000, 3 officers in KS were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 49. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Wichita Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 40; the middle age was 32. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 3.7 years.
John was 49. Of the 59 lost to accidents in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 49; the middle age was 37. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 49. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 49. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Wichita Police Department; July holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 16.7%.
November holds 13.6% of these deaths in KS, more than any other month. Saturdays: 12.1%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 24 deaths at Wichita Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 19.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wichita Police Department has 24 officers remembered here, John among them.
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J. W. Kerwin Mar 23, 1888
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Henry Ebenhack Sep 24, 1888
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S. A. Hartzell
Dec 14, 1888
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William L. Humphries
Feb 23, 1915
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Frank W. Griswold
May 23, 1915
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William H. Ballard
Jul 20, 1920
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A. L. Young
Nov 5, 1921
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Robert Fitzpatrick
Nov 21, 1921
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Charles D. Hoffman
Nov 25, 1921
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Charles E. Galloway
Jul 15, 1923
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Robert C. Scudder
Nov 30, 1923
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Harrison R. Brown
Jan 5, 1925
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Edward W. Hall
Apr 10, 1925
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Vernon E. Ogden
Jun 26, 1927
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Joseph Earl Marshall
Aug 29, 1927
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Paul E. Gilmore
Jul 18, 1930
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James O. Pugh
Jul 31, 1930
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Merle Rankin Colver
Aug 14, 1931
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David A. Kenyon
Oct 26, 1962
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Paul Garofalo
Nov 8, 1980
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Danny Dean Laffey
Jan 5, 1982
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John Eugene Galvin
Nov 4, 2000
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Stephen Martin Oct 30, 2005
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Clay Morsell Germany
Jul 9, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from Wichita Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
