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Incident
Police Officer John Lonergan and Police Officer William Staples were shot and killed by a suspect who had been annoying young women. When the call came in, Officers Staples and Lonergan responded and attempted to arrest the man on Harris Avenue. Unexpectedly, the subject ran into a nearby yard and turned and fired, killing Patrolman Staples with shots to the throat and chest. Officer Lonergan, joined by another patrolman, continued to pursue the suspect who ran toward a neighboring house and, upon approaching the house, turned and shot Officer Lonergan in the abdomen. The officer, while mortally injured, continued to fire in the direction of the fleeing suspect. The suspect forced his way into a house at gunpoint, forcing the occupant out of the house. The suspect then began shooting at responding patrolmen through the windows of the home. When the shooting stopped, police officers carefully entered the home and located the suspect hiding in a closet. When he refused to give himself up, they fired into the closet, causing him to surrender. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He was declared insane and sent to an insane asylum. Officer Lonergan was rushed to Whidden Hospital, where he died five days later. Officer Lonergan had served with the Everett Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Lonergan gave the Everett Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Everett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lonergan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Everett Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 3 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 53. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 53. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 19.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Everett Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Everett Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Everett Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
