Fall River Police Department honors 6 FRPD officers who died in the line of duty

Today, on Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, FRPD is honoring the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the citizens of Fall River.

According to Fall River Police, Officer Richard G. Magan was killed in the line of duty on August 11, 2000. Detective Magan died from injuries sustained from a fall while he was responding to another officer’s call for help during the city’s annual waterfront festival, Fall River Celebrates America.

Thomas Giunta was a Fall River Police Officer for 21 years before he was fatally injured in the line of duty on August 24, 1994. Giunta was distributing parking passes for the annual Holy Ghost Feast when he encountered a man who wrestled his weapon away from him and fatally shot him.

Officer John W. Ruggiero was fatally shot in the line of duty on July 23, 1973. He had been following a suspicious motor vehicle from Pleasant Street to Boutwell Street. Two suspects exited the motor vehicle and approached Officer Ruggiero’s cruiser. One man fired 5-6 shots at close range at 27-year-old Officer Ruggiero, who was killed. Both suspects were arrested and convicted.

On July 1, 1925, Mounted Policeman Armand Dufresne died of injuries he received when he fell from his horse while returning to police headquarters. When the horse slipped on North Main Street, Policeman Dufresne hit his head on the pavement. Thirty minutes later, he succumbed to his injuries at the Fall River General Hospital.

On Aug. 23, 1898, Officer Louis T. Gormley joined the foot chase of a wanted man. During the foot chase, Officer Frank Pierce and Captain Francis Edson located the fugitive in a meadow bordering Melville Street.  Several officers were firing warning shots in an effort to entice the suspect to surrender. At one point the suspect, Thomas Stratton, who while trying to escape tripped and fell in the meadow.  Officer Pierce fell over the same obstruction.  In falling, Officer Pierce’s firearm discharged and the charge struck Officer Gormley, inflicting a mortal wound.

On July 16, 1852. Constable Gideon Manchester was approached by citizens regarding a suspect in several house and business break ins that had occurred in the area of Rock St & Purchase St. in recent days. Constable Manchester searched and then apprehended the male and while attempting to place the suspect into custody, the suspect pulled a concealed gun from his waistband and shot Constable Manchester. A manhunt ensued and the suspect was apprehended.