Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Francis Tierney was shot and killed as he and three other officers attempted to arrest two suspicious men who were attempting to pawn two watches at a business near 6th Street and Market Street. When the officers arrived the men fled and exchanged shots with the officers. The officers chased the men into a nearby stable where Patrolman Tierney was shot and killed and the other three officers were wounded. The two suspects were then taken into custody. The suspect who killed him was executed on May 14, 1915. Patrolman Tierney had served with the Wilmington Police Department for only three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DE-C6BF465A- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Tierney served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Tierney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Francis X. Tierney is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 49 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wilmington Police Department, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis X. Tierney's cause is highlighted.
How Francis X. Tierney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis X. Tierney is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis X. Tierney was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
