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Incident
Police Officer Leo Sullivan suffered a fatal heart attack while dealing with a drunk man at the Berkshire Restaurant at 141-143 West Street.
Officer Sullivan was off duty at the time and had called for backup to take the man to jail when he suffered the heart attack.
Officer Sullivan had served with the Pittsfield Police Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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
29 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Sullivan gave the Pittsfield Police Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Pittsfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Leo is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Leo is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leo is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1956, 1 officer in MA was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 1950, with 2.
In 1956, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1956, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Leo was 54. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Leo had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Leo was 54. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Leo had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Leo was 54. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Leo had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 18.2% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.6%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Pittsfield Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 22.7% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Pittsfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Leo 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
3 officers from Pittsfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
