Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Gallagher was shot by a burglar at Shawmut Bank in Kenmore Square when responding to an alarm. The subject ambushed Patrolman Gallagher in the basement and shot him once in the chest, and then in the knee. Patrolman Gallagher died at Beth Israel Hospital. The man was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison. He died while incarcerated. Patrolman Gallagher had served with the Boston Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-CB797F1B- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Gallagher gave the Boston Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gallagher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John J. Gallagher is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Boston Police Department, 45 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Gallagher's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Gallagher Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Gallagher is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Gallagher was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Boston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
