Remembering A Shrewsbury Officer Killed In The Line Of Duty

SHREWSBURY, MA—President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962, and the week surrounding it as National Police Week.

It was established by a joint resolution of Congress, paying recognition to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In honor of National Police Week, Patch is remembering and paying tribute to the fallen officers of our Massachusetts towns and cities.

One member of the Shrewsbury Police Department lost his life in the line of duty.

Patrolman James Lonchiadis was interrupting an auto theft when he was shot and killed on Route 9 on March 5, 1975. The suspect, who was only 16, disarmed Lonchiadis at gunpoint, forcing him into the trunk of his own patrol car. The teen reportedly shot Lonchiadis in the chest after Lonchiadis pleaded with him not to kill him, as he had a wife and two kids. The teen was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 2008 but landed back in jail in 2010 for a parole violation. He was then denied parole in 2012. Lonchiadis had been with the department for nine years.

Information and photos used with permission, Officer Down Memorial Page.