George D. Sullivan

RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL

January 14, 1998

LAWMEN HUNT SLAYER OF UNR POLICE OFFICER

FOUND IN MORNING: Officer was beaten to death, police say

Officers from all Truckee Meadows law-enforcement agencies are continuing a manhunt today for the killer or killers who beat to death a 43-year-old University of Nevada, Reno police officer early Tuesday.

Citizens walking near the campus main entrance about 12:50 a.m. found the body of Sgt. George D. Sullivan next to his patrol car, said Reno police Lt. Phil Galeoto. Investigators said Sullivan who began his shift at 11 p.m. Monday, apparently struggled with an attacker. He had been working that shift about three weeks.

An autopsy revealed he was bludgeoned to death.

…Sullivan’s handgun is missing and authorities are searching for the weapon, Galeoto said late Tuesday night.

January 15, 1998

CAUGHT IN UTAH

Cop Killer Suspect Arrested

Salt Lake City – After firing several shots in the direction of police officers, suspected police killer Siaosi Vanisi was taken into custody Wednesday night by Salt Lake City Sheriff’s deputies.

Deputies were called to a south side apartment complex here at about 6 p.m.(MST), after receiving a tip from authorities that Vanisi had relatives living in the area.

Vanisi was being sought in connection with the bludgeoning death of University of Nevada, Reno police Sgt. George Sullivan. The officer was struck numerous times with a hatchet while making a traffic stop near the university gates Tuesday morning.

January 17, 1998

‘My Daddy is Gone Now’

UNR Officer Remembered

Fallen University of Nevada, Reno police Sgt. George Sullivan was remembered on Friday as a man whose dedication to his job was surpassed only by his devotion to his family.

…Sullivan was survived by his wife and five children.

Plaque Location & Image

South Wall Column 14 Row H     View The Plaque