Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Joe Galapo was accidentally shot and killed by his partner as the two officers attempted to arrest two narcotics suspects on Fourth Avenue, between 59th Street and 60th Street. Officer Galapo and his partner were arresting two subjects who had just engaged in a narcotics transaction. The officers had both suspects place their hands on the hood of a car, and as Officer Galapo moved in to handcuff the suspects, one of the men spun around and struck Officer Galapo's partner in the arm. Officer Galapo's partner's arm was thrown to the side, and his firearm discharged one round. The round struck Officer Galapo in the head. Officer Galapo was transported to the hospital where he died several hours later from the wound. The subject, who was on probation, was apprehended after a short pursuit and charged with criminally negligent homicide. He was sentenced to the maximum sentence of two to four years. Officer Galapo had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to Brooklyn South Narcotics.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Galapo gave the New York City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Galapo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph Galapo is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Galapo's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Galapo Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Galapo is highlighted in Aug.
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.
