Railroad Policeman John F. McGovern, New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Railroad Policeman John F. McGovern

New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Friday, May 8, 1942

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John F. McGovern

Railroad Policeman John McGovern was struck and killed by a train near his guard shack on the northern end of the Neponset Drawbridge in Boston, Massachusetts.

A search was initiated shortly after 9:30 pm after he failed to make his regular half-hour check-in to the signal tower. A railroad crew located his body near the guard shack.

Railroads regularly assigned officers to guard bridges during WWII to prevent sabotage of critical infrastructure.

Bio

Age 35
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Struck by train
Location Massachusetts

foot patrol

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer McGovern,
On today, the 83rd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice as a Law Enforcement Officer. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

May 8, 2025