Thomas Delahanty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Delahanty
Delahanty in 1981, moments before the shooting
Born	c. 1935 (age 89–90) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Police career
Department	Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
Country	United States of America
Allegiance	Washington, D.C.
Years of service	1963–1981

Thomas K. Delahanty is a retired police officer from the United States. He worked for the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. In 1981, he was hurt during an attack on US President Ronald Reagan.

Early Life and Career

Thomas Delahanty grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before becoming a police officer, he worked at a steel company. He also served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1959.

In September 1963, Mr. Delahanty joined the Metropolitan Police Department. When the attack on President Reagan happened in March 1981, he was 45 years old. He had been a police officer for 17 years. His family had a long history of police officers. Thomas Delahanty was the fourth generation in his family to join the police force.

The Attack on President Reagan

On March 30, 1981, Thomas Delahanty was on duty. He usually worked with a police dog. But his dog was sick that day, so he volunteered to help guard President Reagan. This happened outside the Washington Hilton Hotel.

A man named John Hinckley Jr. fired a gun. The first shot hit James Brady, who was the White House Press Secretary. Officer Delahanty heard the gunshot. He quickly turned his head to see where President Reagan was. As he turned, the second bullet hit him in the back of his neck. The bullet bounced off his spine.

President Reagan and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy were also hurt. Officer Delahanty was taken to Washington Hospital Center. The bullets used were designed to explode when they hit something. Doctors had to carefully remove the bullet from his neck. They wore special vests because other bullets could still explode.

Officer Delahanty went home eleven days later, on April 10, 1981. He told reporters he felt good and was ready to go.

Life After the Attack

After the attack, many people called Thomas Delahanty a hero. He felt sad that he could not do more to stop the attacker. The injury left him with lasting nerve damage in his left arm. Because of this injury, he had to retire from the police department.

Mr. Delahanty later took legal action against John Hinckley Jr. He also took action against Hinckley's psychiatrist and the company that made the gun. His argument against the gun maker was that small, cheap guns are mostly used for crime. He believed the company should be held responsible. However, the court did not agree with his argument.

Personal Life

Thomas Delahanty now lives in Whitehall Borough, Pennsylvania. This is a suburb of Pittsburgh. He moved there after his wife, Jean Marcey, passed away in 1997.

In 2016, Mr. Delahanty was asked about John Hinckley Jr.'s release. He said, "That's their decision, I guess. I'm probably not too enthused with it, but what can you do?"