John Harold Gilbert

Brockton Police Department — Brockton, MA

Felonious

End of Watch March 8, 1984

Age 43

Tour of Duty 16 yrs

The Vigil Panel 128 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Sergeant John Gilbert succumbed to injuries when he was struck by a drunk driver while directing traffic at the intersection of North Cary Street and Court Street in Brockton. Construction crews were working to unclog a storm drain and Sergeant Gilbert was directing traffic around the site. A vehicle struck his patrol car and slammed into him. He was transported to Brockton Hospital where he died ten days later from head injuries. The 26-year-old driver was charged with drunk driving and vehicular homicide. Sergeant Gilbert had served with the Brockton Police Department for 16 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MA-3BFD8850
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.

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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Gilbert gave the Brockton Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Gilbert.

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

Agency

Department Brockton Police Department

Location Brockton, MA

Platform Identity bpd.plymouth.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 8, 1984

Tour of Duty 16 yrs

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Charged with drunk driving

Sergeant John Harold Gilbert 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 Brockton Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Brockton Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

MA — Statewide

199

of 469 officers

42.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious