Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thomas Giunta was shot and killed as he was distributing free parking permits for a community function in Fall River. When he knocked on the door of a house on Middle Street, the subject answered, and a struggle ensued. The subject wrestled Patrolman Giunta's weapon away from him and then shot him three times. The man was subdued moments later by other officers in the area. A citizen kept Patrolman Giunta alive long enough to get to the hospital by giving him CPR. Patrolman Giunta later died at the hospital. The suspect was found competent to stand trial and was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder by extreme atrocity. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on May 29th, 1998. Patrolman Giunta was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Fall River Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-EBE2DB5B- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Giunta gave the Fall River Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fall River community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas J. Giunta served in the Coast Guard (1965â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Thomas J. Giunta 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 Fall River Police Department, 3 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Giunta's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Giunta Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Giunta is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Giunta was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Fall River Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
