Police Officer Peter F. McElligott

Peter F. McElligott

Officer Peter McElligott was shot and killed in a gun battle with two robbery suspects in Golden Gate Park.

Officer McElligott and his partner spotted the suspects, who were wanted for two gas station robberies, in their car. The suspects, upon seeing the officers, made a U-turn and sped off with Officer McElligott and his partner in pursuit. When the suspect’s vehicle stopped the officers approached it and both suspects opened fire.

Officer McElligott was killed instantly and his partner was shot several times. Despite the wounds, his partner was able to return fire causing the suspects to crash their car into a tree. Both suspects were arrested shortly after by responding officers. Both were convicted of first-degree murder. One suspect was paroled in 1977 but was sent back to prison in 1979 for a parole violation. The second suspect was paroled in 1987.

Officer McElligott was survived by his wife of four months.