Joseph A. Picciano

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch February 15, 1971

Age 33

Tour of Duty 10 yrs 2 mo

Badge 2281

The Vigil Panel 108 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Detective Joseph Picciano was shot and killed by a prisoner at the 41st Precinct building at 1086 Simpson Street. Detective Picciano was fingerprinting a suspect that he and other members of the 41st Precinct Detective Squad had arrested for abducting a 13-year-old boy. As he was being fingerprinted, the suspect began to struggle with Detective Picciano. During the struggle, Detective Picciano's service revolver fell to the ground. The suspect was able to gain control of the weapon and fired two shots, killing Detective Picciano. Other members of the Detective Squad were able to return fire, killing the suspect. Detective Picciano had served with the New York City Police Department for ten years and was assigned to the 41st Detective Squad.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-582F9BED
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Picciano gave the New York City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Picciano.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 15, 1971

Tour of Duty 10 yrs 2 mo

Age 33

Badge Number 2281

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Detective Joseph A. Picciano 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.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious