Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Gaffney succumbed to a gunshot wound he received ten days earlier.
Patrolman Gaffney and two other Patrolmen responded to the front of 11 Skillman Avenue, Brooklyn, to investigate the sound of gunshots just after midnight on New Year's Day. When the officers arrived, they found a suspect firing two revolvers into the air. The officers yelled for the suspect to stop, but instead, he turned toward the officers and opened fire. Patrolman Gaffney was struck in the right side of his chest, the right arm, and the right wrist. A second Patrolman was also wounded in the left arm. The suspect's wife ran out and attempted to stop the shooting, but she, too, was shot and wounded.
The suspect threw down his weapons and fled on foot. The third officer on the scene chased the suspect and was able to apprehend him a block away. He was acquitted.
Patrolman Gaffney was removed to St. Catherine's Hospital where he died from his wounds ten days later.
Patrolman Gaffney had served with the New York City Police Department for at least 6 years, assigned to the 20th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, four brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-0FA02B5F- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Gaffney gave the New York City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gaffney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph M. Gaffney 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph M. Gaffney's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph M. Gaffney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph M. Gaffney is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph M. Gaffney was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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