This Day in History January 30, 1905

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This day's story introduced me to a great new site:  Officer Down Memorial Page.  If seems to be quite an exhaustive list of officers who have been killed or have died in the line of duty.  This is the only page where I got my information today, but I would say it is a good enough site to stand on its own.

On this date in 1905, Patrolman John Eagan died from injuries he had received while doing his job.  He was in a horse-drawn patrol wagon on its way to pick up a drunk man.  In Manhattan, a car frightened the horses, and the wagon raced down the road, swinging from side to side.  The driver was unable to gain control of the wagon, and unfortunately Eagan, who was on the step of the wagon, was thrown off the wagon.  He suffered skull fracture and lacerated hands.

He was rushed to the Harlem Hospital, and they attempted to treat him.  He received lockjaw from one of his hand wounds.  He then was moved to St. Luke's Hospital where they removed a portion of his infected hand.  His condition worsened, and three days later, he died.  He had been with the agency 25 years.

I don't know about you, but it seems that every time you turn around, you hear of another officer being killed in the line of duty.  As far as I am concerned, I view police officers, military personnel, firefighters, etc. in the same way.  These are public servants who daily put their lives on the line for my welfare and that of my family members and this wonderful country in which I am privileged to live.  They deserve all the respect and thanks I can give them.  There might be a bad apple in the bunch every once in a while, but the vast majority are decent men and women who care about their jobs and keeping their communities safe.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/16403-patrolman-john-eagan