Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Ramos was shot and killed after discovering a robbery in progress at 1:30 a.m. Patrolman Ramos was walking a foot post when he observed a man and a woman leaving a hotel. When the suspects observed the officer, the male suspect drew a weapon and exchanged gunfire with him. Patrolman Ramos and the suspect were both struck three times. Patrolman Ramos was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he died from his wounds. The suspect recovered from his wounds and was charged with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to death, with the conviction later overturned by the United States Supreme Court. The suspect was convicted again after a second trial and sentenced to death again. That sentence was commuted by Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in November 1967. He was paroled in 1983 after serving 23 years in prison. He later returned to prison, where he died while serving for unrelated convictions. Patrolman Ramos was a United States Marine Corps Korean War veteran and served with the New York City Police Department for 18 months, assigned to the 80th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and brother. Patrolman Ramos was posthumously awarded the News Hero of the Month in July 1960.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-11620491- 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 Ramos gave the New York City Police Department 1 year.
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
William J. Ramos, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman William J. Ramos, 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 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. William J. Ramos, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William J. Ramos, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Death sentence; commuted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Ramos, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Ramos, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
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.
