George D. Sullivan Memorial Page
Sergeant George D. Sullivan 1954-1998
University of Nevada , Reno Police Sergeant George D. Sullivan was killed in the line of duty in the early morning hours of January 13, 1998. He had been with the University Police Department for 19 years. He was survived by his wife and five children. Memorial Services were held at Lawlor Events Center on January 17, 1998.
George was born in Reno , attended Reno High School and Truckee Meadows Community College, where he earned his Criminal Justice degree. He was well known and well liked by the campus community; known for his care and concern for his fellow officers, friendliness and sense of humor. He has been honored by the university with a granite memorial bench placed at the east side of Manzanita Lake. The bench was dedicated in October of 1998. The Police Services area in the Student Services Building was named the “George D. Sullivan University Police Complex” in January of 2002.
Sgt. Sullivan was killed by Siaosi Vanisi, who attacked Sullivan with a hatchet as he worked near the Clark Administration Building. Vanisi was captured in Salt Lake City, in possession of Sullivan's duty weapon and other personal effects. He was returned to Reno to stand trial. Vanisi was found guilty of first degree murder on September 29, 1999. He is currently on death row in the Nevada State Prison system.
Sgt. Dave Osowski remembers working with Sgt. Sullivan. View video interview by RGJ.com May, 2007
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070516/VIDEO/70515061
