Memorial Dedication Held in Honor of the 1st Italian American Boston Patrolman Killed in the Line of Duty

A special memorial dedication was held last week in the Paul Revere Mall (Prado) in honor of Patrolman Andrew B. Cuneo who back in 1921 was the first Italian American Boston Police Officer killed in the line of duty attempting to disarm a man of Hanover Street.

While in the North End, Officer Cuneo was stationed at District One when a report came into the station regarding a suspect who had stolen a gun from a pawn shop on Hanover Street and loaded the weapon with rounds he had in his pocket, Cuneo who was on duty that day, August 13, 1921, left the police station and observed the suspect with the weapon in his hand.

Cuneo reportedly ran toward the suspect, unarmed himself, and grabbed the suspect. A struggle took place for the control of the weapon with both of them falling to the ground. The suspect fired two shots striking Patrolman Cuneo resulting in his

death.

About 200m plus people including many of Officer Cuneo’s family,(grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great children) gathered on a beautiful Saturday morning to pay tribute to the fallen Boston

Police Officer.

Following a colorful ceremony, Mayor Thomas Menino, Police Commissioner Ed Davis, Superintendent Chief Daniel

Linskey, Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Pastorelli, District A-1 Commanding Officer Bernard O’Rourke and family members unveiled the Memorial Plaque.