Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

John Joseph Delaney, Jr.

Boston Police Department — Roxbury Crossing, MA

Illness

End of Watch October 4, 1918

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 34 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 105

Incident

Patrolman John Delaney died as a result of complications of influenza while in the performance of his assigned duties during the Influenza Pandemic.

Some of Patrolman Delaney's duties were to assist the coroner and handle medical calls during the pandemic.

The first case of influenza was reported in Boston on August 28, 1918, resulting in more than 4,000 deaths by the end of the year. Two major events in Boston in early September 1918 contributed to the spread of the deadly second wave of influenza in the city. The "Win-the-War-for-Freedom" patriotic parade on September 3 drew around 5,000 military participants and civilians. Within 72 hours after the parade, every Boston Hospital was filled with influenza patients. The 1918 World Series pitted the Chicago Cubs against the Boston Red Sox, drawing over 62,000 fans during the three final home games at Fenway Park on September 9, 10, and 11. Boston police officers were assigned crowd control and provided security at these events, while also performing their regular job duties. They worked an average of 73-98 hours a week, making them more susceptible to contracting influenza and then spreading it throughout the police department.

Patrolman Delaney was assigned to District 2 at 42 Court Square. He was a widower.

Patrolman Delaney was given a Police Funeral and buried at the New Calvary Cemetery in the Mattapan section of Boston.

Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law EnforcementAlso known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job. The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen. Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.

Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.

The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen.

Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.

Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement

I have the great honor of researching your case and writing the first reflection on your memorial. May your service and sacrifice never be forgotten.

Rocky Geppert Volunteer Researcher Officer Down Memorial Page October 10th, 2025

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Patrolman John Joseph Delaney, Jr. died on October 4, 1918 of influenza contracted in the line of duty. He was 32.

He is one of 201 officers honored here, and one of 14 at Boston Police Department.

The influenza pandemic of 1918 killed more people worldwide than the war that preceded it. Police officers worked it without vaccines, without antibiotics, and often without masks, enforcing quarantines, transporting the sick, and standing posts in cities where the dead outpaced the undertakers.

They caught it doing the job. There was no treatment to give them.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-AFC40841
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

No vaccine, no antibiotics, and you stood the post anyway.
Patrolman Delaney served with the Boston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Delaney.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Boston Police Department

Location Roxbury Crossing, MA

Platform Identity bpd.suffolk.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 4, 1918

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Illness

Cause Detail Influenza Pandemic

Patrolman John Joseph Delaney, Jr. is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MA, 59 of 469 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 12.6% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 9.1%.

At Boston Police Department, 22 of 106 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 20.8% of this agency's fallen.

Boston Police Department

of 106 officers

20.8% Illness

MA — Statewide

of 469 officers

12.6% Illness

Nationwide

2,974

of 32,508 officers

9.1% Illness