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Incident
Police Officer Louis Gormley was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer while involved in a foot pursuit of a fugitive.
The subject, who was wanted for escaping a warrant service a week prior, was spotted hiding on Melville Street. Officer Gormley and two other officers went to the area to apprehend him. The subject fled into a field, and during the pursuit, he fell. When the officers tried to arrest him, the second officer's firearm discharged and struck Officer Gormley. The two officers carried Officer Gormley to the street, where he died.
Officer Gormley had served with the Fall River Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
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
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Gormley gave the Fall River Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fall River community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fall River Police Department has lost 9 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Louis is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Louis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Louis is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1898, 13 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 132nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1898, 17 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 137th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Louis was 30. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Louis had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Louis was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Louis had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Louis was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Louis had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 12.7% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at Fall River Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fall River Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Louis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Fall River Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
