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Patrolman

Francis Garrett McKeon

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch November 17, 1945

Age 28

Badge 5912

The Vigil Panel 182 · Column 3 · Line 17 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Francis McKeon was shot and killed with his own weapon by an emotionally disturbed person he had pursued the into Highbridge Park. Patrolman McKeon was on patrol when he received a call of a domestic dispute on West 174th Street, Manhattan. Patrolman McKeon arrived to find an emotionally disturbed man attempting to attack his wife. The man fled from Patrolman McKeon and ran into Highbridge Park. Once inside the park, the man turned and attacked Patrolman McKeon. The man was able to wrestle patrolman McKeon's nightstick away from him. The suspect struck Patrolman McKeon with the nightstick, knocking him unconscious. As he lay unconscious, the man removed Patrolman McKeon's service revolver from his holster and fired one shot into the patrolman's head, killing him. The suspect then returned to his apartment, firing one shot at a passing automobile and another at a passing trolly car. The police were again called and responded to the location. Before the Patrolmen arrived, the man broke into the vehicle and hid inside. The first two Patrolmen arrived in a patrol car. They were immediately met with gunfire. They returned fire but did not strike the suspect. The suspect kept firing until the revolver was empty. As the two Patrolmen approached the vehicle the suspect was hiding in, the suspect leaped from the vehicle and attacked them with the nightstick he had stolen from Patrolman McKeon. He then ran to the patrol car and jumped in. As he began to pull away, two more Patrolmen arrived in a patrol car and blocked his path. They exited and fired several shots at the suspect as the suspect attempted to run them down, killing him. When the Patrolmen observed the police revolver and nightstick, they began searching for Patrolman McKeon. A man walking his dog found him inside the park and notified the police. Patrolman McKeon was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman McKeon was murdered on his first day ba

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

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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.
Patrolman McKeon served with the New York City Police Department.
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

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 17, 1945

Age 28

Badge Number 5912

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Military Service

Francis Garrett McKeon served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Francis was 28. 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.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded