Thomas Delahanty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Delahanty
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Delahanty in 1981, moments before the shooting
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| Born | c. 1935 (age 89–90) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| 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. He worked for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. In 1981, he was hurt during an attack on US President Ronald Reagan. This event happened on March 30, 1981.
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Who is Thomas Delahanty?
His Early Life and Police Work
Thomas Delahanty was born around 1935 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, Thomas Delahanty joined the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. He was 45 years old when the attack on President Reagan happened. He had been a police officer for 17 years. Being a police officer ran in his family. He was the fourth generation to join the force.
The Day of the Shooting
Normally, Officer Delahanty worked with a police dog. But on March 30, 1981, his dog was sick. So, he offered to help guard President Reagan instead. This was the day of the attack in Washington, D.C.
A man named John Hinckley Jr. fired six bullets. The first shot hit White House Press Secretary James Brady. Officer Delahanty heard the shot. He quickly turned his head to find President Reagan. As he turned, the second bullet hit him. It struck him in the back of his neck. The bullet bounced off his spine.
Officer Delahanty was taken to Washington Hospital Center. The bullets used were special. They were designed to explode when they hit something. Only the bullet that hit James Brady exploded. Doctors learned the other bullets could explode at any time. On April 2, doctors carefully removed the bullet from Officer Delahanty's neck. They even wore bulletproof vests to be safe. He went home eleven days later, on April 10, 1981. He told reporters he felt good and was ready to go.
Life After the Event
After the attack, many people called Officer Delahanty a hero. But he felt sad that he could not do more to help. He recovered from his injury. However, the attack caused lasting nerve damage to his left arm. Because of this injury, he had to retire from the police department.
Later, Officer Delahanty sued John Hinckley Jr. He also sued Hinckley's doctor and the company that made the gun. He argued that small, cheap guns are mostly used for crime. He believed the gun company should be held responsible. But the court did not agree with his argument against the gun maker.
His Personal Life Today
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, John Hinckley Jr. was released. Officer Delahanty was asked how he felt about it. He said, "That's their decision, I guess. I'm probably not too enthused with it, but what can you do?"
