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Incident
Sergeant Thomas McAvoy was shot and killed after responding to a push-in robbery at 157 Manning Boulevard in Albany. When Sergeant McAvoy arrived, a citizen informed him that a man was inside the house with a shotgun, and a woman and children were being held hostage. Sergeant McAvoy left his revolver holstered and entered the house with only a flashlight in hand so as not to endanger the children. When Sergeant McAvoy entered the house, the suspect grabbed him, sat him in a kitchen chair in front of the kids, and shot him in the chest with a shotgun. The suspect then kicked Sgt. McAvoy stole the officer's badge, identification, and revolver, shot the officer again in the chest, and then picked up both spent shotgun shells. A backup officer arrived, and the kids motioned with their heads for the backup officer not to enter the house. As the backup summoned assistance from the police radio in his unit, the suspect escaped through the rear yards to his car parked at State Street and North Pine Street. The ensuing massive manhunt failed to capture the suspect. The suspect's car struck a truck in Chicago in February of 1964, and he was brought to the hospital and subsequently arrested by the FBI for the murder of Sergeant McAvoy. A search of the suspect's car revealed Sergeant McAvoy's revolver beneath the driver's seat. The suspect was a convicted felon who had served the minimum sentence for 2nd-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison, where he died. Sergeant McAvoy was a United States Navy Reserve WWII veteran and had served with the Albany Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Sergeant McAvoy gave the Albany Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany 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
Thomas P. McAvoy served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albany Police Department has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1964, 1 officer at Albany Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1964, 6 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1964, 76 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 13.5 years.
Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 33.3% of these deaths at Albany Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
January holds 8.9% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Albany Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% 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
Albany Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Walter Major Aug 16, 1921
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Francis V. Keyes
Apr 24, 1936
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William J. Fitzpatrick
Jan 5, 1945
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Samuel B. Robinson
May 13, 1957
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Francis W. Castle
Feb 6, 1961
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Thomas P. McAvoy
Jan 28, 1964
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Edward C. Stevens
Nov 26, 1971
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Michael F. McNeil, Jr.
Nov 29, 1971
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Guy John Barringer
Apr 10, 1987
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John F. Finn
Feb 12, 2004
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Kenneth P. Wilcox
Apr 26, 2006
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Douglas Henry Mayville
Apr 9, 2014
Where
Military Service
Thomas P. McAvoy served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas P. McAvoy’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 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
