Police Officer Patrick Shaughnessey
Springfield Police Department
Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, November 7, 1888

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, November 7, 1888
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Acquitted

Officer Shaughnessey was shot and killed while attempting to bring an agitated patient under control at St. John's Hospital.

Hospital staff had called police to assist them to bring a patient with delirium tremens under control. As Officer Shaughnessey entered the patient's room, the man shot twice at Officer Shaughnessey killing him. It was not known that the patient had smuggled a gun into the hospital with him. The patient then jumped out of the room's window, but was captured by Officer Shaughnessey's partner.

The patient was charged with murder, but was acquitted due to his medical condition at the time.