Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Bob Byrnes and Patrolman Nickolas Panico were shot and killed by a man who went on a shooting spree at Coney Island. The suspect attempted to murder his former landlady and then ran outside and killed a woman sitting on a bench. The suspect then ran onto the Coney Island Boardwalk at West 25th Street and approached Patrolman Panico and Byrnes from behind. He shot them both in the back of their heads. Patrolman Panico was killed at the scene, and Patrolman Byrnes succumbed to his wounds at Coney Island Hospital four days later. The suspect continued shooting at other citizens, wounding three more people, including another patrolman, before being shot and killed by an Emergency Service Unit officer. Patrolman Byrnes was a U.S Navy veteran of the Korean War and served with the New York City Police Department for five years, assigned to the 94th Precinct. He was detailed to Coney Island for the summer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-61259418- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Robert is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Byrnes gave the New York City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Joseph Byrnes served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Robert Joseph Byrnes 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 97,759 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Joseph Byrnes's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Joseph Byrnes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Joseph Byrnes is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Joseph Byrnes was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Robert Joseph Byrnes served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Joseph Byrnes’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
