Massachusetts State Police are looking for photos of one Thomas J. Sullivan, a patrolman killed in the line of duty in 1929. And they’re turning to the public for help.

In a Facebook post Friday morning, Massachusetts State Police called for any tips on finding an image of Sullivan, who died in a motorcycle crash when he was 27-years-old. He had worked for the Metropolitan Police Department, which merged into the Mass. State Police in 1992.

The photo will be part of a memorial honoring state policemen killed in the line of duty, MSP spokesperson David Procopio told Boston.com. A department historian was unable to find an image of Sullivan, and police have not located his surviving family, Procopio explained. Thus, their callout to the public.


“If anyone out there has a photo of Thomas J. Sullivan, he made the ultimate sacrifice and deserves to have his photograph on the memorial along with all the others,’’ Procopio said.

The call for tips seems to be having its intended effect. When we contacted police at about 2:30 pm, Procopio said they had already received a few leads on locating a photo of Sullivan.

If you have information, contact Mass. State Police media relations at 508-820-2623.