Press Release

Plaque for Fallen Deputy Sheriff Unveiled in Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Lobby

Former Deputy Hanrahan Recently Added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

FULTONVILLE -The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office held a plaque unveiling ceremony today to honor fallen Deputy Sheriff Ellwood Francis Hanrahan, whose name was recently added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

His family members and several members of the Sheriff's Office were present to pay respect and view the new addition to the lobby Tuesday morning. The dedication wall was also recently remodeled.

"Our county is extremely proud to recognize and honor those individuals who have served our community and its residents," County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort said.

Hanrahan, who was a Tribes Hill resident, passed away while on duty Jan. 8, 1974 due to a heart attack. He was 49-years-old and worked for 18 years at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. His son, William Hanrahan, submitted an application requesting his father's name be added to the memorial. He was formally dedicated on May 13, 2019 at the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil during National Police Week. Members of his family attended.

Hanrahan suffered the fatal heart attack shortly after physically subduing a struggling suspect with another deputy. The second deputy noted that Hanrahan looked strained, but said he was ok and resumed patrol duty alone. He sought medical attention at a physician's office and then was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith said to his knowledge, this is only the second deputy from the agency to die while working. Deputy Sheriff Gary Allan Johnson, who died in the line of duty, is also recognized in the lobby.

Smith said he was unaware of Hanrahan's on-duty death until he received a letter explaining the upcoming dedication in Washington D.C. William Hanrahan was required to complete an extensive application in order for his father's name to be added to the memorial. He began the application process before Smith took office.

Smith said being added to the memorial is a prestigious honor and that's why he wanted to include something in the Sheriff's Office as well. The Department of Public Works assisted the Sheriff's Office with redoing the dedication wall upon learning about Hanrahan's recognition at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. "It's good to have the public understand that there was another person who lost their life while serving," Smith said. "One of our residents who was serving the community."

"It makes you feel pretty proud, William Hanrahan said. "We know the peaks and valleys and the changes and the heartbreak and the ups and downs that you experience each and every day when you answer calls or when you participate in functions related to your duties," Smith said. "So knowing that we lost a member that was serving this county, and this community, in a very respectful manner, because of a heart attack, or regardless of the circumstances, he paid his life for the people of this county and this is just a small token of our appreciation."