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Incident
Police Officer John Silinsky was shot and mortally wounded at 12:20 a.m. when he attempted to stop a robbery while off duty. The suspect attempted to rob the Major Deegan Motel at 3600 Bailey Avenue in the Bronx, where Officer Silinsky moonlighted as a night manager. Officer Silinsky witnessed two armed men entering the hotel. He shut and locked the door, but the subject fired through the door, striking Officer Silinsky in the head with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The men fled the scene. Officer Silinsky was transported to a local hospital but died four days later. A suspect was later arrested and charged with murder but was found not guilty. Officer Silinsky was a United States WWII U.S. Army veteran and served with the Yonkers Police Department for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and grandchildren.
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.
Police Officer Silinsky gave the Yonkers Police Department 28 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yonkers 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
John Silinsky served in the U.S. Army (1943â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yonkers Police Department has lost 20 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1982, 7 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 58. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 58. 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. John had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 13.8% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 15% of all 20 deaths at Yonkers Police Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Yonkers Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Edward Burns
Sep 5, 1904
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Dennis McElroy
Oct 25, 1916
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Wilfred Matthews Oct 29, 1916
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Edward J. Morrison
Jul 18, 1918
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Daniel Shea
Apr 6, 1926
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John Hudock
Feb 21, 1928
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Michael J. Walsh
Dec 23, 1929
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Patrick F. Whalen
Feb 23, 1934
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George J. Erling
Jun 30, 1935
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Daniel E. Quilty
Oct 15, 1936
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Joseph Kostik
Apr 17, 1938
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Albert Liptak
Apr 18, 1938
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John W. Cahill
Jan 23, 1940
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Harold L. Woods
Sep 22, 1974
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John Silinsky
Sep 30, 1982
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Anthony Maggiore
Nov 22, 2014
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Roy D. McLaughlin
Sep 10, 2015
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William J. Sullivan, Jr.
Apr 11, 2020
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Stanley J. Kasper
Jul 9, 2021
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Frank Gualdino
Dec 1, 2022
Where
Military Service
John Silinsky served in the U.S. Army (1943–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Silinsky’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 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Yonkers Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
