Steven F. Gaughan

Infobox police officer
name = Steven Francis Gaughan


caption = A photo of a memorial left at SGT Gaughan's childhood home
died = death date and age|2005|6|21|1964|7|14
placeofbirth = Hyde Park, MA (Boston, MA) U.S.A.
placeofdeath = Laurel, MD, U.S.A.
nickname = Steve
badgenumber = 1734
department = Prince George's County Police Department
serviceyears = 1990-2005
rank = Corporal (posthumously promoted to Sergeant)Cpl. Steven Francis Gaughan was a police officer in Prince George's County, MD assigned to the Beltsville District, Special Assignment Teamcite web |date=June 21, 2005|url = http://www.co.pg.md.us/PGCounty/Government/PublicSafety/Police/news_articles/newsarticle7806.asp?h=80&s=0&n=60|title = Shooting Death of Prince George’s County Police Officer|format = HTML |publisher = pub| accessdate = 2007-11-17 | last= |quote=] . He was killed in the line of duty by Robert M. Billett following a traffic stop.

The traffic stop

On Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Gaughan and his partner pulled over a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Route 197 and South Laurel Drive in Laurel, Marylandcite web |date=2007 |url = http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=17798|title = The Officer Down Memorial Page Remembers Steven F. Gaughan|format = HTML |publisher = The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.| accessdate = 2007-11-17 | last= |quote=] . The three men in the car fled when the car was stopped. While chasing one of the suspects, Robert M. Billett, shots were exchanged and during this exchange both Billett and Gaughan were hit. Gaughan took a fatal hit and died at Prince George's Hospital Center where several hours later.

Robert M. Billett was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

treet corner

On July 14, 2007, the City Of Boston, MA, dedicated the street corner where Gaughan grew up to his memory by renaming it Steven F. Gaughan Corner. A portion of the street Gaughan was killed on was also renamed for himcite web |date=May 21, 2007|url = http://www.manekin.com/pdfs/pr07_05oldglory.pdf|title = MANEKIN CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES OLD GLORY HARLEY-DAVIDSON|format = HTML |publisher = MANEKIN | accessdate = 2007-11-17 | last= |quote=It also installed three times the landscaping as required by the county andrelocated access points off S. Laurel Drive onto a private road renamed after a fallen Prince George’s police officer. Traffic now moves on Steven F. Gaughan Drive.] . Gaughan is also remembered on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorialcite web |date=2007 |url = http://www.nleomf.com/media/press/wreathlaying05.htm|title = NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES 14TH ANNUAL WREATHLAYING DAY CEREMONIES|format = HTML |publisher = National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund| accessdate = 2007-11-17 | last= |quote=] in Washington, DC.

References