Paul Heidelberger
Agency patch
Police Officer

Paul Heidelberger

Felonious
End of Watch July 18, 1992
Age 28
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 3960
The Vigil Panel 138 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Paul Heidelberger was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight in front of a bar at the intersection of Bell Boulevard and 39th Avenue in the Bayside section. A bouncer at a neighboring bar opened fire on the group as Officer Heidelberger attempted to break up the fight, striking him and two other men. The bouncer then walked over and shot Officer Heidelberger and the other man in the head, killing them. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested several days later. He was convicted of one count of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2022. Officer Heidelberger had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He is survived by his mother, two brothers, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-59B404A7
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 Heidelberger gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Heidelberger.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch July 18, 1992
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 3960
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Police Officer Paul Heidelberger 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 Housing Authority Police Department, 13 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.4% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Housing Authority Police Department
13
of 19 officers
68.4% 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. Paul Heidelberger's cause is highlighted.

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

How Paul Heidelberger Compares

Age at Death
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Heidelberger is highlighted in Jul.

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. Paul Heidelberger was killed by handgun.

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

Incident Location