Detective Gallino was shot and killed when he was identified as a police officer during a robbery.

On March 18, 1972, Detective Gallino had stopped at Cousin Hugo's tavern, at 3233 Laclede Station Road in Maplewood, after completing a 14-hour work day. Shortly after he arrived, three armed men came in to rob the tavern. The supects ordered the patrons to lie on the floor. As the suspects robbed each patron they discovered Detective Gallino's badge and gun and shot him in the head with a shotgun. Another patron was stabbed to death as he emerged from the rest room. A barmaid was stabbed and another patron was shot in the leg. Five suspects were arrested and charged with the murder of Detective Gallino and another customer. Two of the suspects were later convicted of the murders and sentenced to two life imprisonment terms.

Detective Gallino joined the Crestwood Police Department in 1969 after serving six years with Brentwood Police Department. He was named Crestwood's citizen of the previous June for his work to fight narcotics addiction in the city. Interred: Memorial Park Cemetery, Jennings, MO.