Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Dennis McInerney was shot and killed, and his partner was wounded as they responded to a disturbance During the Mardi Gras carnival on the fringe of the French Quarter. A 19-year-old youth was threatening a family with a gun and had shot their 13-year-old little boy. As Officer Dennis McInerney and his partner arrived on North Rampart Street, they were met with gunfire before they could exit their vehicle. Patrolman McInerney and his partner returned fire, hitting the suspect in the leg. The suspect was apprehended at the scene. The family's son was transported to a hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his foot and released. The New Orleans Police Chief said the suspect being recently paroled was a big mistake because of his extensive juvenile record. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1977, his sentence was commuted to life. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5 to 4 decision that states could not make the death sentence mandatory for persons convicted of killing police officers. Patrolman McInerney was a United States Army veteran and had served with the New Orleans Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-B810EF51- 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.
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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.
Patrolman McInerney gave the New Orleans Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community, 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
Dennis J. McInerney served in the Army (1961â1967) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Dennis J. McInerney 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis J. McInerney's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis J. McInerney Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis J. McInerney is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis J. McInerney was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
