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James T. Dunston
Incident
Police Officer James Dunston was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a robbery in progress. Officer Dunston and his partner were directed by their central dispatcher to respond to a burglary in progress on East 102nd Street in Manhattan. There was, in fact, a "push-in robbery" in progress at the location. Three armed suspects had pushed their way into an apartment. The suspects were holding a family hostage until another family member arrived home. That family member had the combination to the family safe. When the officers arrived, they knocked on the door of the apartment. When the door opened, the one suspect opened fire with a shotgun, killing Officer Dunston. Officer Dunston's partner returned fire and called for backup. As he was calling for backup, all three suspects fled. One suspect was apprehended by backup officers and the two other suspects were apprehended the next day by detectives. A 17-year-old girl, caught in the crossfire, was shot, resulting in the loss of sight in one eye. On February 9, 1982, all three suspects, 24, 25, and 32, were convicted of murder, assault, robbery, burglary, and sentenced to 25 years to life. The 25-year-old died in prison on October 5, 2021. The 24-year-old was paroled on April 7, 2021. Officer Dunston was a United States Army veteran and had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to Police Service Area 5.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Dunston gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James T. Dunston served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has lost 19 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 1 officer at New York City Housing Authority Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1980, 13 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 33. Of the 13 killed feloniously at New York City Housing Authority Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 33; the middle age was 28. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
James was 33. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.7% of these deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department; December holds the most, 15.4%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 68.4% of all 19 deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Philip Schultz
Oct 9, 1965
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Willie L Stephenson
Jul 3, 1966
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Robert Harris
Dec 20, 1967
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Arthur Pelo
Sep 25, 1971
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Harold L. Marshall
Dec 7, 1971
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Carson Terry
Dec 20, 1971
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Vito A. Chiaramonte
Sep 26, 1977
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James O. Washington
May 29, 1978
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Ted W. Donald
Jun 15, 1979
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James T. Dunston
Nov 20, 1980
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Jan Hendrik Brinkers
May 4, 1981
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James G. Carragher
Feb 11, 1982
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James Holmes
Mar 23, 1986
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Anthony Oswald McLean
Apr 13, 1988
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Gary L. Peaco
Jun 16, 1988
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Paul Heidelberger
Jul 18, 1992
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Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.
Jul 4, 1993
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John Williamson
Oct 8, 1993
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Alfred T. Boesch
Jan 21, 1995
Where
Military Service
James T. Dunston served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James T. Dunston’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 8-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
