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Richard E. McGilvery
Incident
Detective Richard McGilvery was accidentally shot and killed when his revolver fell out of his holster, hit the ground, and discharged, striking him, while he was chasing a burglary suspect on the Douglass Campus. Detective McGilvery and his partner were responding to a break-in in progress on Nichol Street. They split up and at 10:55 pm, his partner heard a single gunshot. He was transported to Saint Peter's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:43 pm. A single bullet had pierced his liver and lung. Detective McGilvery had served with the Rutgers University Police for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Richard is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective McGilvery gave the Rutgers University Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Brunswick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McGilvery.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard E. McGilvery served in the U.S. Army (1964â1967) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Richard is the only officer of Rutgers University Police Department remembered here.
Richard is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard 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 1978, 3 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1978, 78 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1978, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 33. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 33. 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. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rutgers University Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, 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.
Military Service
Richard E. McGilvery served in the U.S. Army (1964–1967) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard E. McGilvery’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
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