Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William Gunn succumbed to a gunshot wound received in 1989 when he was shot in the head by a suspect. Detective Gunn and three other officers were investigating two murders and went to the home of a man wanted for questioning in those murders. When the officers arrived, the suspect exited and opened fire, wounding one of the officers. Detective Gunn ran to assist the fallen officer and was shot in the head by the suspect. He remained in a coma from the time of the shooting until his death. The suspect escaped by hiding in a nearby apartment after killing the 67-year-old female occupant. Later that week, the suspect was shot and wounded by an off-duty New York City Police Officer as he tried to rob a store. The suspect again escaped but shot and killed himself later that night as police closed in on him. Detective Gunn had served with the New York City Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Detective Gunn was assigned to the 67th Precinct Detective Squad and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Detective. After his death, a portion of Snyder Avenue between Nostrand Avenue and Rogers Avenue was renamed Detective William T. Gunn Avenue.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-8FA91F23- 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 Gunn gave the New York City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Gunn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William T. Gunn 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William T. Gunn's cause is highlighted.
How William T. Gunn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William T. Gunn is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William T. Gunn was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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