Michael Talkowsky
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael Talkowsky

Felonious
End of Watch January 31, 1959
Age 23
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 17657
The Vigil Panel 94 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael Talkowsky was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to arrest three robbery suspects. Patrolman Talkowsky and his partner were walking a beat on Lexington Avenue, near 98th Street in Manhattan, when breaking glass from a third-floor apartment caught their attention. The two patrolmen entered the building and went to the third floor, where they found three armed suspects robbing a group of poker players. When the suspects saw the officers, they opened fire. Patrolman Talkowsky was shot. Before he collapsed, he and his partner returned fire, killing one subject. The other two subjects, 16 and 26, fled the scene but were apprehended the same day and charged with murder. Patrolman Talkowsky served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 23rd Precinct.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-B195B87B
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.
Patrolman Talkowsky gave the New York City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Talkowsky.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 31, 1959
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 23
Badge Number 17657
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Michael Talkowsky 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 New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department
365
of 1,237 officers
29.5% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Talkowsky's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Michael Talkowsky Compares

Age at Death
23
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Talkowsky is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Talkowsky was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location