Police Officer Thomas Devlin

Thomas Devlin

Police Officer Thomas Devlin succumbed to injuries sustained on September 20th, 1988, when he was exposed to military-grade teargas that had been set off in the ventilation system Edmonds Hall, one of the college's dormitories.

Officer Devlin was one of the first officers to respond to the scene and immediately assisted with evacuating residents from the dormitory. The exposure to the chemicals caused Officer Devlin to suffer burns to over 65% of his lungs. He was hospitalized several times with viral infections as a result of the injuries.

The person who set off the tear gas was never identified and remains at large.

His lungs suffered further damage in May 1999 when he responded to a fire in another residence hall and was exposed to the smoke while evacuating residents. He was hospitalized again after that incident and was forced to medically retire in 2004.

Edmonds Hall was demolished in 2016 and replaced with a recreation center.

Officer Devlin had served with the Boston College Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, brother, and two sisters.