John E. West
Agency patch
Patrolman

John E. West

Felonious
End of Watch February 4, 1946
Age 48
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Badge 36
The Vigil Panel 82 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John West was shot and killed after arresting a speeder while assigned to the Highway Patrol Bureau and was transporting the suspect to the precinct house when he produced a gun and shot him. The suspect, 24, was apprehended in Brooklyn three days later and confessed to the murder. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 45 years to life. The Nassau County Police Department prohibited a single officer from transporting a prisoner as a result of Patrolman West's murder. Patrolman West had served with the agency for 17 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-7CEEF6F6
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman West gave the Nassau County Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mineola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman West.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Mineola, NY
Platform Identity ncpd.nassau.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 4, 1946
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Age 48
Badge Number 36
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman John E. West 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 Nassau County Police Department, 12 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.

Nassau County Police Department
12
of 51 officers
23.5% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. West's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John E. West Compares

Age at End of Watch
48
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
17
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. West is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. West was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518