Richard J. Gallivan
Agency patch
Patrolman

Richard J. Gallivan

Boston Police Department — Roxbury Crossing, MA
Accident
End of Watch February 8, 1911
Age 35
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 25 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Richard Gallivan was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer while chasing burglary suspects. The round struck Patrolman Gallivan in the neck. His last words exonerated his fellow officer from any blame in the shooting. Patrolman Gallivan had served with the Boston Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife brother and sister.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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 Gallivan gave the Boston Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gallivan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Roxbury Crossing, Suffolk County, MA
Platform Identity bpd.suffolk.ma.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 8, 1911
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1911, 29 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Richard was 35. 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. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Boston Police Department has 106 officers remembered here, Richard among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Richard J. Gallivan

Boston Police Department · End of Watch February 8, 1911

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W

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