Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William O'Neil succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while arresting a subject at the intersection of Adams Street and Ford Street. He had arrested the man for neglecting to support his family and was taking him to police headquarters. The man broke away from Patrolman O'Neil, drew a gun, and fatally shot him. Patrolman O'Neil had served with the Rochester Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-81BB065E- 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
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman O'Neil gave the Rochester Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William P. O'Neil 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 Rochester Police Department, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William P. O'Neil's cause is highlighted.
How William P. O'Neil Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William P. O'Neil is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William P. O'Neil was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Rochester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
