Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Thomas Conaty was shot and killed while questioning two youths, ages 15 and 17, about the burglary of several revolvers from a store. Detective Conaty and another detective spotted the two boys on Seventh Street, between King Street and French Street, and called them over to their car. The detectives both got of their car and started questioning the two. Detective Conaty's partner searched one of the boys and recovered a .38 caliber revolver. The second youth suddenly ran and the detective gave chase after telling Detective Conaty that he believed the boy he had just searched had another firearm. When the detective returned to the car he discovered Detective Conaty suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. One of the suspects was apprehended at the scene and the other was apprehended the next day. The 17-year-old shooter was out on a Christmas pass from a home for delinquent boys. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison in 1985. Detective Conaty had served with the Wilmington Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DE-1E440A1E- 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.
Detective Conaty gave the Wilmington Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Conaty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Thomas P. Conaty Jr. 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 DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 49 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wilmington Police Department, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas P. Conaty Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas P. Conaty Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas P. Conaty Jr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas P. Conaty Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
