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Incident
Patrolman Francis Tierney was shot and killed as he and three other officers attempted to arrest two suspicious men who were attempting to pawn two watches at a business near 6th Street and Market Street. When the officers arrived the men fled and exchanged shots with the officers. The officers chased the men into a nearby stable where Patrolman Tierney was shot and killed and the other three officers were wounded. The two suspects were then taken into custody. The suspect who killed him was executed on May 14, 1915. Patrolman Tierney had served with the Wilmington Police Department for only three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Tierney served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Tierney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilmington Police Department has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Francis is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Francis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 1 officer at Wilmington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1915, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 31. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Wilmington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.3 and 44; the middle age was 38.5. Francis had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 31. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Francis had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Francis was 31. 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. Francis had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wilmington Police Department; January holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
March holds 8% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Saturdays: 12%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 4% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wilmington Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Francis among them.
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John F. Baylis Sep 9, 1863
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Andrew T. Peterson Jun 27, 1885
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Charles W. Schultz Jan 30, 1891
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Francis X. Tierney
Mar 6, 1915
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Thomas L. Zebley
Nov 13, 1919
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Mary T. Davis
May 11, 1924
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Howard P. Atwell
Jun 29, 1926
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Milton A. Wimbrow
Dec 31, 1931
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Willard E. Pruitt, Jr.
Jul 7, 1944
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Thomas P. Conaty, Jr.
Dec 26, 1946
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Sayer R Evans
Nov 19, 2022
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
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
