Galvin joined the police department's bomb squad in 1993 and was promoted to sergeant in 1995. In 1987, he received the department's Bronze Wreath of Merit for his actions while off-duty, involving the arrest of suspects in a larceny. He had received the same award in 1985 for his actions in an auto theft incident. Before Galvin's death, the last Wichita police officer to die in the line of duty was Danny Laffey, who was hit by a speeding car in 1982 while investigating a disturbance outside a tavern on East 13th Street. A fund in Galvin's name has been established at Wichita Municipal Credit Union.
Funeral arrangements are pending.