Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective James Garvey was shot and killed during an investigation into a series of robberies. Detective Garvey and his partner were assigned to investigate robberies and other thefts that were occurring on the upper west side of Manhattan. The Detectives went out on foot to conduct surveillance when they observed two men they suspect of criminal activity. The officers followed the two subjects for fifteen minutes. When the suspects reached the corner of Broadway & 75th Street, Detective Garvey and his partner approached them. One subject turned, and one subject stated “Don’t draw your guns. If you do, we will let you have it”. Before the Detectives could draw their weapons, the other subject pulled a gun out and began firing. Detective Garvey was mortally wounded, and his partner was struck in the chest and seriously injured. A citizen who witnessed the incident ran to aid the fallen Detectives. He was not able to aid Detective Garvey but was able to flag down a passing vehicle and take the other Detective to the hospital where he was treated for his wounds. The subjects fled the scene. One subject was arrested for the murder of Patrolman John T. Monahan on December 3, 1934. While incarcerated for the murder of Patrolman Monahan, the suspect was implicated in the killing of Detective Garvey. The subject was convicted of both murders and executed at Sing Sing Prison in 1942. Detective Garvey served with the New York City Police Department for 21-years and was a first-grade Detective. He was assigned to the 18th Division, 3rd Detective District.
Survivors
Detective Garvey was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-E5C0F632- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Garvey gave the New York City Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Garvey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James Garvey 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 City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Garvey's cause is highlighted.
How James Garvey Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1942
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Garvey is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Garvey was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
