Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Francis Gilleland was shot and killed at the corner of Boston Avenue and North street while attempting to stop a drug store break-in. Patrolman Gilleland was found shot to death at the entrance to an alleyway in the rear of a small drug store in the Medford Hillside district. There were bullet wounds in his head and chest. His revolver was clutched in his hand. Neighbors told police they had seen four youths in a large touring car with red wheels and black body fleeing from the vicinity. An investigation found an attempt had been made to force open a rear door of the drug store, but that entrance had not been made. Two of the suspects were picked up later the same day in Nashua and the woods near North Chelmsford but were released. The murder remains a mystery. Patrolman Gllleland was a World War I veteran and served with the Medford Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-BA7EFF94- 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.
Patrolman Gilleland gave the Medford Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Medford 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
Francis J. Gilleland served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Francis J. Gilleland 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis J. Gilleland's cause is highlighted.
How Francis J. Gilleland Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis J. Gilleland is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis J. Gilleland was killed by gun; unknown type.