Frank McGrath
Agency patch
Detective

Frank McGrath

Felonious
End of Watch September 27, 1945
Age 35
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 1975
The Vigil Panel 81 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Frank McGrath died of injuries he received when he was attacked while making an arrest at the Hotel Belvedere at 316 West 48th Street. Detective McGrath was assaulted inside a hotel by a cowboy who was in town for a rodeo championship. As the Detective attempted to arrest the cowboy, he was assaulted, and his service weapon was stolen. Detective McGrath was transported to Roosevelt Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was later apprehended and charged with murder but was set free after a grand jury failed to indict him. Detective McGrath had served with the New York City Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the 5th Precinct Detective Squad.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-92B906CF
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective McGrath gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McGrath.

— 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 September 27, 1945
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 35
Badge Number 1975
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Person

Detective Frank McGrath 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 97,772 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 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank McGrath's cause is highlighted.

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

How Frank McGrath Compares

Age at Death
35
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. Frank McGrath is highlighted in Sep.

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. Frank McGrath was killed by person.

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

Incident Location