Peter J. Tierney
Agency patch
Police Officer

Peter J. Tierney

Nahant Police Department — Nahant, MA
Felonious
End of Watch September 4, 1934
Age 54
Tour of Duty 25 yrs
Badge 23
The Vigil Panel 68 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Peter Tierney succumbed to injuries sustained 12 days earlier when he was assaulted by a professional boxer while investigating a disturbance at the Relay House, which overlooked Bass Point. One of the subjects fled the scene when the officers arrived, and the second began to struggle with Officer Tierney. During the struggle, the subject struck Patrolman Tierney, knocking him unconscious. After coming to, Officer Tierney and his partner were able to take the man into custody. Officer Tierney suffered a fractured skull and an embolism on the brain when he was struck. He was admitted and released from the hospital. A few days later, he was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital after becoming ill. He passed away while undergoing emergency brain surgery to repair the blood clot in his brain. The subject was convicted of assault and fined $60 before Officer Tierney's death. After he died, he was charged with manslaughter. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Officer Tierney had served with the Nahant Police Department for 25 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. One son was appointed to fill his father's position on the Nahunt police force, and one of his grandchildren later went on to serve with the Nahant Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-F207388D
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Peter. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Tierney gave the Nahant Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Nahant community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tierney.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Nahant, Essex County, MA
Platform Identity nahapd.essex.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 4, 1934
Tour of Duty 25 yrs
Age 54
Badge Number 23
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Person

Police Officer Peter J. 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 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 Nahant Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Nahant Police Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
MA — Statewide
199
of 469 officers
42.4% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Peter J. Tierney's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Peter J. Tierney Compares

Age at Death
54
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
25
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter J. Tierney is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter J. Tierney was killed by person.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Nahant Police Department are honored on badge.nw.