Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Leahy was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center.
Officer Leahy had served with the New York City Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the 6th Precinct.
September 11, 2001
Police Officer James Patrick Leahy was killed at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. He was 38 years old.
He is one of 72 officers honored here, and one of 23 at New York City Police Department.
Seventy-two law enforcement officers from eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, alongside 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and more than 2,800 civilians. A fourth aircraft went down in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a law enforcement officer aboard was among the dead.
Officers went into the towers while everyone else was coming out. More than 25,000 people reached safety because they did.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-0ABED922- 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 James. 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
You went in while everyone else was coming out.
Police Officer Leahy gave the New York City Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Leahy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Patrick Leahy 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Patrick Leahy's cause is highlighted.
How James Patrick Leahy Compares
Offender Outcome
19 suicide attackers
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Patrick Leahy is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Patrick Leahy was killed by aircraft; passenger jet.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
