Officer Francis M. Doyle
Metropolitan Police Department
District of Columbia
End of Watch: Friday, December 29, 1871

Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, December 29, 1871
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted

Officer Francis Doyle was shot and killed as he and several other officers attempted to force entry into a home on Maryland Avenue while conducting an investigation. Officers had gone to the home earlier in an attempt to recover a stolen watch and were held off by the suspect's wife. When the officers returned the forced the door open but were immediately fired at by the woman. Officer Doyle was struck in the chest and killed instantly.

The woman was charged with murdering Officer Doyle but acquitted of the charge at trial.

Officer Doyle was a US Navy Veteran of the Civil War. He had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 5 years and was survived by his wife and three children. He was buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.