Officer Thomas J. Giunta

Thomas J. Giunta

Officer Thomas Giunta was shot and killed as he was distributing free parking permits for a community function in Fall River.

When he knocked on the door of a house on Middle Street, the subject answered, and a struggle ensued. The subject wrestled Patrolman Giunta's weapon away from him and then shot him three times. The man was subdued moments later by other officers in the area. A citizen kept Patrolman Giunta alive long enough to get to the hospital by giving him CPR. Patrolman Giunta later died at the hospital.

The suspect was found competent to stand trial and was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder by extreme atrocity. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on May 29th, 1998.

Patrolman Giunta was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Fall River Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.