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Officer slain 34 years ago honored in East Boston

E-mail|Link|Comments () November 6, 2009 12:55 PM

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

A Boston police officer who was fatally shot three decades ago was honored in a ceremony today at the busy East Boston street corner where he was attacked.

Dozens of officers gathered at the corner of Neptune Road and Bremen Street to hear remarks from Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, and others on the sacrifice made by Sergeant Richard F. Halloran.

"He was out there making a difference every day, and our great city is a better place because of his service," Menino said.

Halloran was shot 34 years ago today, at 3:40 a.m., at the corner while investigating a motor vehicle. A suspect was arrested 17 hours later and ultimately convicted of murder.

A small crowd of spectators and about three dozen police officers looked on during the ceremony, which included the skirling of bagpipes and a police color guard. Halloran's wife and two sons stood by as a granite and bronze memorial was unveiled at the corner, which is near Route 1A. Periodically, planes from Logan International Airport would roar overhead.

"He was part of the fabric that makes up the thin blue line," said Officer Robert Anthony, who led the push to erect the memorial.