Francis J. M. Buckley

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch January 6, 1922

Age 35

Badge 612

The Vigil Panel 42 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Detective Francis Buckley and Detective William Miller were shot and killed by a suspect they were questioning in regards to the shooting of a patrolman the previous month. Detective Miller and Detective Buckley went to Public School #89, at Lenox Avenue and 135 Street, Manhattan, where they believed the suspect might be. They found the suspect and had him accompany them to the station to see if the wounded patrolman could identify him. Unknown to the detectives, about an hour earlier, the suspect had shot and killed a man during a hold-up. The detectives placed the suspect in a taxi cab and proceeded to the 38th Precinct station house. As they walked toward the station house after exiting the taxi, the suspect suddenly began to run. After taking a few steps, the suspect turned and drew a handgun from his sleeve. He opened fire, striking Detective Miller in the head, killing him. Detective Buckley attempted to draw his weapon, but was shot before he could do so. He was removed to Harlem Hospital where he died from his wounds the next day. The suspect fled on foot from the location. He was arrested four days later by members of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Police Department and returned to New York City. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The suspect was executed in August 1922.

Survivors

Detective Buckley was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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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 Sergeant Buckley served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Buckley.

— 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 January 6, 1922

Age 35

Badge Number 612

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in August 1922

Detective Sergeant Francis J. M. Buckley 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