Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Brian Rooney was shot and killed as revenge for revoking the parole and returning to prison, the leader of a notorious Queens drug ring he supervised. Officer Rooney was sitting in his car on 119th Avenue near 155th Street when another car pulled up next to his, and one of two suspects inside the car opened fire on him. Officer Rooney was struck in the head, back, and left arm. In 1989, when New York Police Department Police Officer Edward R. Byrne's killer was convicted, it sparked a federal and state investigation into a drug organization. By 1992, the investigation revealed that the leader of the drug ring, who was in prison, had ordered members of his organization to assassinate Officer Rooney. Officer Rooney's killer, his accomplice, and two others were arrested and charged with murder. The drug ring's leader was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years to life. He was released on April 7, 2022, to federal authorities. He is responsible for hundreds of deaths by murder or drugs. In exchange for information involving drug activities, the shooter pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 29 years. The shooter's accomplice and another suspect were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years. The fifth suspect was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. All five were also convicted of federal drug charges and were sentenced to several additional years. In September 2020, the suspect who lured Officer Rooney to where he was killed by claiming to have information about one of his cases was paroled. The drug rings leader, known as "Fat Cat" was released on April 5, 2022, to federal authorities. He is to be tried at a later unknown date on several federal charges. Federal authorities would not discuss his case. Fat Cat is responsible for hundreds of deaths by murder or drug overdose. Officer Rooney had served with the New York State Division of Parole for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-0C654FAE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Parole Officer Rooney gave the New York State Division of Parole 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Parole Officer Rooney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Parole Officer Brian F. Rooney is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York State Division of Parole, 2 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brian F. Rooney's cause is highlighted.
How Brian F. Rooney Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brian F. Rooney is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brian F. Rooney was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from New York State Division of Parole are honored on badge.nw.
