U.S. Army · United States 
Richard E. McGilvery
1978
Richard E. McGilvery served the U.S. Army for 3 years. Richard served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Detective Richard McGilvery was accidentally shot and killed when his revolver fell out of his holster, hit the ground, and discharged, striking him, while he was chasing a burglary suspect on the Douglass Campus. Detective McGilvery and his partner were responding to a break-in in progress on Nichol Street. They split up and at 10:55 pm, his partner heard a single gunshot. He was transported to Saint Peter's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:43 pm. A single bullet had pierced his liver and lung. Detective McGilvery had served with the Rutgers University Police for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
Service Record
U.S. Army
1964 – 1967
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
Rutgers University Police Department
Detective
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpkpr0mcwsng595av42f
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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