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Patrolman

John J. Fitzgerald

Boston Police Department — Roxbury Crossing, MA

Felonious

End of Watch April 6, 1908

Age 54

Tour of Duty 27 yrs

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 105

Incident

Patrolman John Fitzgerald died from complications of a cerebral hemorrhage he suffered three days earlier shortly after assisting another officer in making an arrest of a theft suspect.

Patrolman Fitzgerald was reporting to duty at the Franklin Park Substation when he was stopped by another officer and asked for assistance in making an arrest at 3409 Washington Street of three larceny suspects who stole a $5.00 brass pipe. As the officers arrived at the home one of the suspects resisted arrest and fought with Patrolman Fitzgerald before making an escape. Two other suspects were arrested inside the home. Later that evening at the Franklin Park Substation Patrolman Fitzgerald complained of not feeling well and an ambulance was summoned to take him home. Shortly after arriving at his home, he slipped into unconsciousness and a doctor was summoned. The doctor determined that he had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was suffering from paralysis on his right side. Patrolman Fitzgerald died three days later after having never regained consciousness.

The suspect who had fought with him was arrested on the morning of his death. Patrolman Fitzgerlad's partner testified under oath that morning that it was the same suspect that fought with him and Patrolman Fitzgerlad prior to making his escape. The suspect was charged with assaulting Patrolman Fitzgerald and fined $25 for drunkenness with a $200 bond. It is unknown if any other additional charges were filed resulting in Patrolman Fitzgerald's death.

Patrolman Fitzgerald served with the Boston Police Department for 27 years and was attached to Division 13, Franklin Park Substation. He was survived by his wife. On March 1st, 1929, Patrolman Fitzgerald's widow requested a pension for her late husband from the city of Boston. Her request was granted in October 1929 after no objection by the mayor. A motion granting the request stated her husband "John J. Fitzgerald a member of the Police Department died as a result of injuries received while in the performance of his duties."

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

27 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Fitzgerald gave the Boston Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Fitzgerald.

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

Agency

Department Boston Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Roxbury Crossing, Suffolk County, MA

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

Service Record

End of Watch April 6, 1908

Tour of Duty 27 yrs

Age 54

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

John was 54. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded