Roll of Honor
Daniel Francis McCrea
Incident
Location: New York Incident Date: Saturday, June 20, 1908 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Not available
Detective Daniel McCrea succumbed to a gunshot wound received four days earlier at the Buffalo Creek rail yards near, Fillmore Avenue, in Buffalo, New York.
He was attacked by several men who he and a New York Central officer had told to leave shortly before. After driving the men off with his billy club Detective McCrea boarded a freight train at Fillmore Avenue and Clinton Street and stood on the bumpers between two cars.
One of the men that he had just told to leave climbed to the top of the car, as the other four stood watch on the ground, and surprised Detective McCrea. The man fired as Detective McCrea looked up, striking him in the face. Detective McCrea was taken to Emergency Hospital where he died two days later. One suspect was arrested the following day but the shooter fled on a west-bound freight train.
Detective McCrea was much disliked by the local criminals and had been shot at several times during the previous weeks. He had been a detective with the railroad for only a few months.
Survivors
He was survived by his father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-F52F80BD- 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.
Detective McCrea served with the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McCrea.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Daniel Francis McCrea 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 Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Daniel Francis McCrea's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel Francis McCrea Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel Francis McCrea is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel Francis McCrea was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police are honored on badge.nw.
