Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant William O'Shaughnessy was shot and killed when he was alerted to the robbery of a speakeasy at 329 Lenox Avenue in Harlem. The subjects had customers lined up against the wall and were taking their valuables. When Sergeant O'Shaughnessy entered the cafe, the subjects fired and killed him before he could return fire. The two men then stole a taxi cab and fled until they crashed a short time later. Four nearby policemen heard the crash and went to investigate, not knowing of the earlier shooting. The two men opened fire on the four officers, who immediately returned fire. The two men were taken into custody. Both were convicted of Sergeant O'Shaughnessy's murder and executed in the electric chair on December 10, 1932. Sergeant O'Shaughnessy had served with the New York City Police Department for 35 years, assigned to the 28th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-789A4720- 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
35 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant O'Shaughnessy gave the New York City Police Department 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant O'Shaughnessy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William O'Shaughnessy 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 O'Shaughnessy's cause is highlighted.
How William O'Shaughnessy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William O'Shaughnessy is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William O'Shaughnessy was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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