Roll of Honor
James T. Dunston
Incident
Police Officer James Dunston was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a robbery in progress. Officer Dunston and his partner were directed by their central dispatcher to respond to a burglary in progress on East 102nd Street in Manhattan. There was, in fact, a "push-in robbery" in progress at the location. Three armed suspects had pushed their way into an apartment. The suspects were holding a family hostage until another family member arrived home. That family member had the combination to the family safe. When the officers arrived, they knocked on the door of the apartment. When the door opened, the one suspect opened fire with a shotgun, killing Officer Dunston. Officer Dunston's partner returned fire and called for backup. As he was calling for backup, all three suspects fled. One suspect was apprehended by backup officers and the two other suspects were apprehended the next day by detectives. A 17-year-old girl, caught in the crossfire, was shot, resulting in the loss of sight in one eye. On February 9, 1982, all three suspects, 24, 25, and 32, were convicted of murder, assault, robbery, burglary, and sentenced to 25 years to life. The 25-year-old died in prison on October 5, 2021. The 24-year-old was paroled on April 7, 2021. Officer Dunston was a United States Army veteran and had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to Police Service Area 5.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-114D575C- 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.
Police Officer Dunston gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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
James T. Dunston served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer James T. Dunston 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 Housing Authority Police Department, 13 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James T. Dunston's cause is highlighted.
How James T. Dunston Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James T. Dunston is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James T. Dunston was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
