Michael J. Foley

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch April 10, 1937

Age 37

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

The Vigil Panel 73 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Detective Foley was shot and killed during an investigation while assigned to the 9th Detective Squad. Detective Foley and another Detective were conducting surveillance at a restaurant which had been robbed several times. While seated at a table, four armed men entered and announced a holdup. A shootout took place, and Detective Foley was fatally wounded. One of the suspects was shot and injured, and two others were apprehended at the scene. The suspect that was shot escaped but was arrested when he went to the hospital to seek medical attention for his gunshot wound. Six suspects were convicted of Detective Foley's murder and sentenced to death. Two of them had their sentences commuted. Three of the suspects were executed on January 26, 1939, and the fourth was executed on September 12, 1940.

Survivors

Detective Foley served with the New York City Police Department 13 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-0A22EE26
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Foley gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Foley.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 10, 1937

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in 1939 and 1940

Detective Michael J. Foley 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious