HONOR ROLL
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Michael P. SullivanAppointed June 15, 1906
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At 2130 hours (9:30 p.m.) on Friday, June 26, 1914, Mounted Patrolman Michael P. Sullivan1, Badge No. 181, of the Rondo Avenue Substation, was accidentally electrocuted while on duty. He had gotten off of his horse to investigate a burning telephone pole in the alley between St. Albans and Grotto Streets south of Grand Avenue in the City of Saint Paul. While investigating the incident he came in contact with a live wire and was killed.
Residents had heard cries but thought it was children. After an hour, some neighbors decided to go check it out. At 2230 hours (10:30 p.m.), Sullivan’s lifeless body was found entangled in electrical wire. It is believed that he dismounted his horse to investigate a burning telephone pole which had caught fire from the live wire. His horse had not been found as of the next day.
Although police personnel records do not give a date of birth, other records indicate that Michael P Sullivan was born in about September 1863. Raised in Iowa, fifty-two year old Sullivan, a former coachman, watchman, and city fireman, had been with the Police Department since June 15, 1906 (eight years), and had been appointed to his mounted assignment on October 10, 1906. He was survived by his wife, Helen, and three children, Joseph, James and Ethel. Patrolman Sullivan’s funeral was held on Monday, June 29, 1914, at Saint Luke’s Catholic Church, and he is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
1 Michael P. Sullivan was appointed Patrolman June 15, 1906; was promoted to Mounted Patrolman October 10, 1906; and was fatally injured by accidental electrocution Friday, June 26, 1914.