Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Kearney died of a gunshot wound he sustained when he and his partner, Patrolman Wilford Walker, were shot while investigating the burglary of a radio store. Thee officers were assigned to radio patrol duty in a patrol car in downtown Bridgeport when, at approximately 0020 hours, they received a report of a burglary at a radio store. Not far from the scene of the burglary, Sergeant Kearney and Patrolman Walker located a man walking with a radio in his hand. When the officers exited their vehicle to question the suspect, the suspect turned with a revolver in his hand and fired two shots, striking both officers. Backup officers arrived and pursued the suspect, but he escaped. The suspect was later apprehended and charged with murder . He was tried, convicted and executed on April 12, 1938, at the Wetherfield State Prison. Patrolman Walker died from his wound. Sergeant Kearney was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital where he died two days later from his wounds. Sergeant Kearney had served with the Bridgeport Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-224E808B- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Kearney gave the Bridgeport Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgeport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Kearney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Thomas P. Kearney 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 43.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bridgeport Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas P. Kearney's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas P. Kearney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas P. Kearney is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas P. Kearney was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Bridgeport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
