Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: New Jersey Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Not available
Patrolman Martin Gaffeney was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary of several rail cars in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.
He was stationed in an area off of Whitehead Road where several burglaries had taken place recently. Patrolman Gaffeney came upon a lookout for the thieves and as he began to question him, the man fired three shots, striking Patrolman Gaffeney once in the heart. The suspect fled the scene with his accomplices. The incident was witnessed by a railroad employee.
The suspect died of natural causes in a New Jersey State Prison, June 20th, 1927 while serving a sentence for forgery, and while under indictment and awaiting trial for the murder of Patrolman Gaffeney.,
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- 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.
Patrolman Gaffeney served with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphpia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gaffeney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Martin J. Gaffeney 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department, 13 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Martin J. Gaffeney's cause is highlighted.
How Martin J. Gaffeney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin J. Gaffeney is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin J. Gaffeney was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
