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Incident
Major Alister McGregor was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer while conducting a training exercise with the department's SWAT team.
The exercise included a scenario involving a hostage situation on board a school bus. Major McGregor was on board the bus when he was accidentally shot with an officer's sniper rifle. The officer had been granted permission to use his personal rifle during the exercise, but failed to clear the weapon of live ammunition before conducting a dry-fire. The officer was later indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges.
Major McGregor was a state expert on the use of deadly force and helped other Rhode Island police agencies draft recommendations on how to handle school shootings.
He had been with the East Providence Police Department for 16 years, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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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.
Major McGregor gave the East Providence Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Providence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Major McGregor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
East Providence Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Alister is one of 23 officers lost to accidents in RI, 41.8% of the 55 remembered there.
Alister is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alister is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer in RI was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Alister was 43. Of the 22 lost to accidents in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.3; the middle age was 34. Alister had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Alister was 43. 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. Alister had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alister was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Alister had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 21.7% of these deaths in RI, more than any other month. Thursdays: 13%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at East Providence Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 41.8% of all 55 deaths in RI, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
East Providence Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Alister among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from East Providence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
