Thomas P. Conaty, Jr.

Wilmington Police Department — Wilmington, DE

Felonious

End of Watch December 26, 1946

Age 30

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Badge 76

The Vigil Panel 83 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Detective Thomas Conaty was shot and killed while questioning two youths, ages 15 and 17, about the burglary of several revolvers from a store. Detective Conaty and another detective spotted the two boys on Seventh Street, between King Street and French Street, and called them over to their car. The detectives both got of their car and started questioning the two. Detective Conaty's partner searched one of the boys and recovered a .38 caliber revolver. The second youth suddenly ran and the detective gave chase after telling Detective Conaty that he believed the boy he had just searched had another firearm. When the detective returned to the car he discovered Detective Conaty suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. One of the suspects was apprehended at the scene and the other was apprehended the next day. The 17-year-old shooter was out on a Christmas pass from a home for delinquent boys. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison in 1985. Detective Conaty had served with the Wilmington Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-DE-1E440A1E
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Conaty gave the Wilmington Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Conaty.

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

Agency

Department Wilmington Police Department

Location Wilmington, DE

Platform Identity wpd.newcastle.de.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 26, 1946

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 30

Badge Number 76

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Cause: Gunfire

Detective Thomas P. Conaty, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 5.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Wilmington Police Department, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.

Wilmington Police Department

of 11 officers

63.6% Felonious

DE — Statewide

of 51 officers

49% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious