Daniel Thomas Gleason
Agency patch
Police Officer

Daniel Thomas Gleason

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious
End of Watch June 5, 1986
Age 38
Tour of Duty 15 yrs 6 mo
Badge 6320
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Daniel Gleason was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to investigate reports of vandalism to a vehicle on West Sedgley Avenue near North Broad Street. When the officers arrived, they approached two people who were standing nearby to ask if they knew anything about the vehicle. The male subject immediately drew a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Gleason three times in the face and three times in the arm and side. Officer Gleason was transported to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Upon investigation, it was learned that the suspect had a hatred for white police officers and, in the past, had vowed to kill any that ever stopped him. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on November 29, 1986. Officer Gleason had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for over 15 years. He was survived by his wife and six children. His wife was killed three years later in a car accident.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmxjb3fvyg0f0954308k
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 Daniel. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Gleason gave the Philadelphia Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gleason.

— 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 June 5, 1986
Tour of Duty 15 yrs 6 mo
Age 38
Badge Number 6320
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Daniel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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

Daniel was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 15.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

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, Daniel among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Daniel Thomas Gleason

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch June 5, 1986

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W

↑