Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Louis Balsamo died of injuries he received when he was shot 38 years earlier after responding to a report of shots being fired.
Officer Balsamo and his partner responded to a report of gunshots fired at 454 State Street in Brooklyn. Upon arrival at the scene, Officer Balsamo and his partner heard several shots being fired. The two officers entered 454 State Street and went to the roof. While on the roof, the officers were fired on by a gunman in an apartment in an adjoining building. Officer Balsamo was struck in the face, neck, and chest by the gunfire. The gunman continued to fire at responding officers for over an hour and a half before committing suicide as officers made entry into his apartment.
Officer Balsamo was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery. Doctors removed many of the bullet fragments but were unable to remove some fragments lodged in his brain stem.
He was granted a line of duty retirement in 1980 and remained under care for complications from his wounds until his death on December 30th, 2013. His death was directly attributed to the brain stem injuries sustained when he was shot in 1975.
Officer Balsamo had served with the New York City Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to the 84th Precinct.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-8F5C4209- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Balsamo gave the New York City Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Balsamo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Louis J. Balsamo 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 97,784 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 35.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Louis J. Balsamo's cause is highlighted.
How Louis J. Balsamo Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Louis J. Balsamo is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Louis J. Balsamo was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
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