In Memoriam

Patrolman Ronald J. Mahony
(Sept. 10, 1955 - Jul. 13, 1977)

     

 Patrolman Ronald J. Mahony was born Sept. 10, 1955, in Oceanside, N.Y. He moved to Pinellas County from Freeport, N.Y., in 1970, and graduated from Largo High School in 1973.
     Patrolman Mahony joined the Clearwater Police Department as a Police Cadet on Sept. 10, 1976-his 21st birthday. He completed his recruit training and was released for solo patrol duty on Feb. 7, 1977. Less than a month later, Patrolman Mahony was commended by then-Chief Frank Daniels for his "prompt and courageous response" to a call for assistance from a detective who had been threatened by an armed suspect.
     At 10:03 p.m. on July 13, 1977, Patrolman Mahony stopped a stolen truck on Memorial Causeway. While being questioned, the driver suddenly attempted to flee in the truck, and Patrolman Mahony was struck when the truck overturned. Patrolman Mahony died at Morton Plant Hospital at 11:35 p.m. He was 21 years old. The driver of the truck was also killed in the crash.
    The 15 officers on his squad served as the honor guard at his funeral. He was buried at Sylvan Abbey.

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