Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Mulvihill was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a call of a robbery in progress. As Patrolman Mulvihill approached the door, the suspects emerged. One of the suspects was armed with a sawed-off shotgun. He shot Patrolman Mulvihill from point-blank range. Patrolman Mulvihill's partner was shot in the head but survived. He managed to wound one of the suspects, who escaped in a stolen car. All four suspects were later apprehended. One died in the hospital of the wound, the other three, 22, 23, and 26, were sentenced to death. On October 18, 1932, Governor Henry H. Horton commuted their sentences, to 99 years for the oldest one who admitted to firing the fatal shot, and 49 years for the other two. Patrolman Mulvihill's killer was paroled on December 27, 1962. Another was pardoned by Governor Gordon Browning on January 17, 1953. In 1951 he stopped an inmate who was about to stab a guard. The third inmate was paroled in May of 1953.
Survivors
Patrolman Mulvihill had been with the agency for 2 months and was survived by his six brothers and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-23BCA007- 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 Mulvihill served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mulvihill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael J. Mulvihill 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. Mulvihill's cause is highlighted.
How Michael J. Mulvihill Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. Mulvihill is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. Mulvihill was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
