Annual FOP Fallen Officer Memorial

 (Sept. 10, 1955 - Jul. 13, 1977)

Patrolman Ronald J. Mahony was born Sept. 10, 1955, in Oceanside, N.Y. He moved to Pinellas County from Freeport, N.Y., in 1970, and graduated from Largo High School in 1973.

Patrolman Mahony joined the Clearwater Police Department as a Police Cadet on Sept. 10, 1976-his 21st birthday. He completed his recruit training and was released for solo patrol duty on Feb. 7, 1977. Less than a month later, Patrolman Mahony was commended by then-Chief Frank Daniels for his "prompt and courageous response" to a call for assistance from a detective who had been threatened by an armed suspect.

At 10:03 p.m. on July 13, 1977, Patrolman Mahony stopped a stolen truck on Memorial Causeway. While being questioned, the driver suddenly attempted to flee in the truck, and Patrolman Mahony was struck when the truck overturned. Patrolman Mahony died at Morton Plant Hospital at 11:35 p.m. He was 21 years old. The driver of the truck was also killed in the crash.

The 15 officers on his squad served as the honor guard at his funeral. He was buried at Sylvan Abbey.

 (Feb. 1, 1946 - Jul. 12, 1970)

Patrolman John F. Passer was born Feb. 1, 1946, in Utica, N.Y. He moved to Pinellas County from Richmond, Va., in 1961 and attended local schools. He joined the Clearwater Police Department on Feb. 8, 1967.

Patrolman Passer was twice commended for heroism, once for rescuing a woman from a burning house and once for rescuing another woman from a submerged car.

On Aug. 12, 1968, at his request, Patrolman Passer was assigned to duty as a Motorcycle Officer. At 3:52 p.m. on July 12, 1970, Patrolman Passer, driving a 1969 Harley Davidson, was attempting to stop a traffic violator at South Greenwood Avenue and Lotus Path. He had apparently pulled alongside the violator's vehicle to signal it to pull over when the car turned left, striking him. Patrolman Passer was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died of head injuries at 6:00 p.m. He was 24 years old.

Patrolman Passer was survived by his parents, his wife and two daughters. Burial was at Sylvan Abbey.

 (Jun. 13, 1941 - Feb. 12, 1969)

Patrolman Peter M. Price was born June 13, 1941, in Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y. A veteran of the United States Army, he joined the Clearwater Police Department on Oct. 19, 1965.

On Dec. 15, 1967, Patrolman Price volunteered for, and was assigned to, duty as a Motorcycle Officer. At 1:35 p.m. on Feb. 12, 1969, while responding 

to an emergency call on his 1967 Harley Davidson, Patrolman Price was involved in a crash at Drew Street and Northeast Coachman Road. The driver of an oncoming car turned left in front of him. Patrolman Price was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered severe head and internal injuries. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead 45 minutes later. He was 27 years old.

Patrolman Price was survived by his parents, wife and two brothers. He was buried at Sylvan Abbey.

Patrolman Price was the second Clearwater police officer to die in the line of duty, and the second to die in a motorcycle crash. Sadly, his death was investigated by Patrolman John F. Passer, who himself was killed in a motorcycle crash the next year.

(Jan. 10, 1926 - Jan. 22, 1967)  

Patrolman Harry L. Conyers, Jr., was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Miami. He served in the United States Marine Corps and retired from the United States Army before joining the Clearwater Police Department on Oct. 15, 1962.

On Feb. 22, 1964, Patrolman Conyers volunteered for, and was assigned to, duty as a Motorcycle Officer. On Jan. 18, 1967, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office requested an escort for a deputy on a "blood run" to Morton Plant Hospital, and Patrolman Conyers, driving a 1964 Harley Davidson, was dispatched. At 8:59 p.m., while responding to the call, Patrolman Conyers was involved in a crash on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, just west of Saturn Avenue, and suffered severe head injuries.

He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 22, 1967, without ever regaining consciousness. He was 41 years old. He was the first Clearwater officer ever killed in the line of duty.

Patrolman Conyers was survived by his parents, his wife, two sons and five daughters. Burial was at Sylvan Abbey.