Roll of Honor
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
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Peter J. Tierney 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Peter J. Tierney's cause is highlighted.
How Peter J. Tierney Compares
Offender Outcome
18 months in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter J. Tierney is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter J. Tierney was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nahant Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
