Anthony J. Graffia
Agency patch
Patrolman

Anthony J. Graffia

Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch February 19, 1968
Age 31
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 7452
The Vigil Panel 103 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Anthony Graffia was shot and killed while attempting to stop a robbery in progress. Patrolman Graffia was eating lunch in the rear of a pharmacy when two men entered brandishing revolvers and demanded money. The store owner alerted Patrolman Graffia to the robbery, and when he came out of the backroom, the suspects opened fire, striking him. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Graffia was able to return fire and hit his killer in his left bicep. On March 10, 1968, New York Police arrested a 16-year-old youth who crashed into a utility pole after they chased him 20 blocks in a stolen car on Atlantic Ave. Information about Patrolman Graffia's murder led to the youth admitting he was involved. His accomplice, 21, was arrested at his home the next day. He showed police the bullet wound on his arm and admitted he shot Patrolman Graffia. On April 29, 1968, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life. He was paroled on August 28, 1990. Patrolman Graffia was a United States Air Force veteran who had served with the New York City Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the 106th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-3D7A7E21
Stewardship
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.
Patrolman Graffia gave the New York City Police Department 7 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

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 19, 1968
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 31
Badge Number 7452
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Anthony J. Graffia served in the U.S. Air Force (1953–1957) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Anthony J. Graffia is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department
365
of 1,237 officers
29.5% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,759 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Anthony J. Graffia's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Anthony J. Graffia Compares

Age at Death
31
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anthony J. Graffia is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anthony J. Graffia was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Military Service

Anthony J. Graffia served in the U.S. Air Force (1953–1957) before joining law enforcement.

Visit Anthony J. Graffia’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.