Years of service 1959–1981 Name Thomas Delahanty | Allegiance Washington, D.C. | |
 | ||
Country United States of America Rank Sworn in as an officer - 1959 | ||
Thomas K. Delahanty (born c. 1935) is a former District of Columbia policeman, who was wounded during the assassination attempt on U.S. President Ronald Reagan on Monday, March 30, 1981, in Washington, D.C.
Contents
Reagan assassination attempt
President Reagan, White House Press Secretary James Brady, and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy were also wounded in the crossfire. Delahanty was shot in the neck by the second of John Hinckley, Jr.'s six bullets, and he fell to the ground next to Brady who was shot in the head and seriously wounded.
Delahanty was taken to Washington Hospital Center and sent home eleven days later on Friday, April 10, 1981, and was quoted as saying, "I feel good . . . I'm ready to go."
Since the bullet had ricocheted off his spinal cord after striking his neck, he suffered permanent nerve damage to his left arm. Delahanty was cited for heroism for his valiant effort to protect the President, and was ultimately forced to retire from the Metropolitan Police Department due to his disability.
Delahanty later sued Hinckley, Hinckley's psychiatrist, and the gun manufacturer (Röhm (RG)). His argument against the manufacturer, that small, cheap guns have no purpose except for crime, and thus that the company should be held responsible, was rejected by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
Personal life
Delahanty lives in Pennsylvania, after having moved from suburban Washington after the death of his wife, Jean Delahanty.
Delahanty was recently interviewed about the release of John Hinckley Jr., and responded with: "That's their decision, I guess. I'm probably not too enthused with it, but what can you do?"