Ralph M. Galdi
Agency patch
Sergeant

Ralph M. Galdi

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious
End of Watch March 31, 1986
Age 45
Tour of Duty 21 yrs
Badge 8640
The Vigil Panel 130 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Galdi was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a suspect. He and his partner were returning from court when they observed a vehicle run a red light and strike another vehicle. The suspect attempted to flee the scene and was pursued by the two officers. During the pursuit the man produced a .38 caliber revolver and opened fire at the intersection of North 5th Street and Spring Garden Avenue, striking Sergeant Galdi three times. The other officer returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man was sentenced to life plus 45 years. Sergeant Galdi had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 21 years and was assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmwxcwcep9acb97s788r
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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

21 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Galdi gave the Philadelphia Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Galdi.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 31, 1986
Tour of Duty 21 yrs
Age 45
Badge Number 8640
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Ralph 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.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Ralph was 45. 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. Ralph had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Philadelphia Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Sergeant Ralph M. Galdi

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch March 31, 1986

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W

↑