Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Lonergan and Police Officer William Staples were shot and killed by a suspect who had been annoying young women. When the call came in, Officers Staples and Lonergan responded and attempted to arrest the man on Harris Avenue. Unexpectedly, the subject ran into a nearby yard and turned and fired, killing Patrolman Staples with shots to the throat and chest. Officer Lonergan, joined by another patrolman, continued to pursue the suspect who ran toward a neighboring house and, upon approaching the house, turned and shot Officer Lonergan in the abdomen. The officer, while mortally injured, continued to fire in the direction of the fleeing suspect. The suspect forced his way into a house at gunpoint, forcing the occupant out of the house. The suspect then began shooting at responding patrolmen through the windows of the home. When the shooting stopped, police officers carefully entered the home and located the suspect hiding in a closet. When he refused to give himself up, they fired into the closet, causing him to surrender. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He was declared insane and sent to an insane asylum. Officer Lonergan was rushed to Whidden Hospital, where he died five days later. Officer Lonergan had served with the Everett Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-BFA716E1- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Lonergan gave the Everett Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Everett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lonergan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John J. Lonergan Sr. 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 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 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Everett Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Lonergan Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John J. Lonergan Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Lonergan Sr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Lonergan Sr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Everett Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
