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Incident
Police Officer Peter Tierney succumbed to injuries sustained 12 days earlier when he was assaulted by a professional boxer while investigating a disturbance at the Relay House, which overlooked Bass Point. One of the subjects fled the scene when the officers arrived, and the second began to struggle with Officer Tierney. During the struggle, the subject struck Patrolman Tierney, knocking him unconscious. After coming to, Officer Tierney and his partner were able to take the man into custody. Officer Tierney suffered a fractured skull and an embolism on the brain when he was struck. He was admitted and released from the hospital. A few days later, he was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital after becoming ill. He passed away while undergoing emergency brain surgery to repair the blood clot in his brain. The subject was convicted of assault and fined $60 before Officer Tierney's death. After he died, he was charged with manslaughter. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Officer Tierney had served with the Nahant Police Department for 25 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. One son was appointed to fill his father's position on the Nahunt police force, and one of his grandchildren later went on to serve with the Nahant Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Tierney gave the Nahant Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Nahant community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tierney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nahant Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Peter is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Peter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter 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 1934, 4 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Peter was 54. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Peter had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Peter was 54. 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. Peter had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Peter was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Peter had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.6% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Nahant Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 9.5% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Nahant Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Peter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nahant Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
