Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper William McDonagh was shot and killed after responding to a dispute at 9:45 pm. While en route to the call, the suspect shot and killed his girlfriend, who had called for police assistance. When Trooper McDonagh arrived, he was shot and killed by the suspect. Backup units arrived and shot and killed the suspect, who refused to drop his weapon. Trooper McDonagh was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and had served with the New York State Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-0AA0484C- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper McDonagh gave the New York State Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William V. McDonagh served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Trooper William V. McDonagh 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 97,759 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 State Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William V. McDonagh's cause is highlighted.
How William V. McDonagh Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William V. McDonagh is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William V. McDonagh was killed by rifle.
Military Service
William V. McDonagh served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969–1972) before joining law enforcement.
Visit William V. McDonagh’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
170 officers from New York State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
