Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph O'Neil was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to Meyer Memorial Hospital. The subject had walked into the Precinct 3 station house earlier in the day and was charged under the state's mental hygiene law to be admitted to a hospital. As Patrolman O'Neil and two other officers approached the emergency room door the man grabbed one of the officers' service revolvers from its holster and began running. He then turned and opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman O'Neil. One of the other officers returned fire and killed the subject. Patrolman O'Neil had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 26 years and was assigned to Precinct 3.
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BO-US-NY-E1A24D18- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman O'Neil gave the Buffalo Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Neil.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph L. O'Neil 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 Buffalo Police Department, 22 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph L. O'Neil's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph L. O'Neil Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph L. O'Neil is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph L. O'Neil was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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