Thomas H. Neilan
Agency patch
Special Investigator

Thomas H. Neilan

Felonious
End of Watch November 8, 1980
Age 24
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 123 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Investigator Thomas Neilan was shot and killed when he attempted to take action against two men who abducted him at gunpoint during a robbery in Queens, New York, at about 12:30 am. He was pulling into the driveway of his home in the 9200 block of 216th Street when the men entered his car. They forced him to drive to another location, where Investigator Neilan drew his weapon, identified himself, and fired a shot at the suspect. At the same time, the subjects returned fire, striking him in the head twice and once in the neck. Three men were arrested. Two were acquitted, and one was sentenced to 25 years. Investigator Neilan had served with the New York State Office of Attorney General for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-F8EC7181
Stewardship
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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.
Special Investigator Neilan gave the New York State Office of the Attorney General 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Investigator Neilan.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Albany, NY
Platform Identity nysoagcd.albany.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 8, 1980
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 24
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Special Investigator Thomas H. Neilan 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%.

New York State Office of the Attorney General - Criminal Division
1
of 1 officers
100% 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. Thomas H. Neilan's cause is highlighted.

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

How Thomas H. Neilan Compares

Age at Death
24
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. Thomas H. Neilan is highlighted in Nov.

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. Thomas H. Neilan 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

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from New York State Office of the Attorney General - Criminal Division are honored on badge.nw.