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Incident
Patrolman Riley was shot and killed while trying to disperse a group of drunk men. As he turned to leave one of the men produced a revolver and shot Patrolman Riley in the head. Patrolman Riley had been with the agency for eight years. A 25-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Governor Channing H. Cox commuted his sentence to life. He was pardoned on December 24, 1953.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Riley gave the Cambridge Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cambridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Riley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cambridge Police Department has lost 12 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1920, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 34. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Thomas was 34. 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. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 12.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 12 deaths at Cambridge Police Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Cambridge Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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William Loughrey Jun 26, 1860
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Thomas F. Dynan
Jan 4, 1912
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Michael Joseph Bannon
Oct 1, 1918
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John William Donnelly
Oct 3, 1918
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James Andrew Cox
Dec 27, 1918
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Thomas J. Riley
Nov 20, 1920
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Lochlin Gavin
Dec 30, 1920
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John J. Guthrie
Dec 26, 1926
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Charles Edward Bradley
Dec 13, 1934
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Albert Gustave Eckart
Nov 3, 1951
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Lawrence W. Gorman
Sep 3, 1960
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Michael Joseph Barry Jun 13, 1963
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Cambridge Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
