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Incident
Trooper Joseph Gallivan was killed in an automobile crash on Nooseneck Hill Road while responding to a fire in Ashaway. His vehicle left the roadway during heavy rain and struck a concrete marker at the Hopkinton-Richmond town line. Trooper Gallivan had served with the Rhode Island State Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Gallivan gave the Rhode Island State Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Gallivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rhode Island State Police has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 23 officers lost to accidents in RI, 41.8% of the 55 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 1 officer at Rhode Island State Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1937, 2 officers in RI were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1937, 95 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1937, 109 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 26. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Rhode Island State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 32; the middle age was 26. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Joseph was 26. Of the 22 lost to accidents in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.3; the middle age was 34. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 40% of these deaths at Rhode Island State Police, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 60%.
June holds 13% of these deaths in RI; December holds the most, 21.7%. Tuesdays: 34.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Rhode Island State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 41.8% of all 55 deaths in RI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Rhode Island State Police has 7 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Rhode Island State Police are honored on badge.nw.
