Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Frank H. Pfonner

Tonawanda City Police Department — Tonawanda, NY

Felonious

End of Watch April 8, 1923

Age 29

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 45 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Frank Pfonner was killed in a motorcycle crash while pursuing a speeding motorist on Delaware Avenue near the Village of Kenmore line. He was transported to Homeopathic Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the vehicle that struck him was never identified. Patrolman Pfonner had served with the Tonawanda Town Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his father, brother, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-3F52BF75
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.
Patrolman Pfonner gave the Tonawanda Town Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kenmore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pfonner.

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

Agency

Department Tonawanda City Police Department

Location Tonawanda, NY

Platform Identity tonapd.erie.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 8, 1923

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 29

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Never identified

Patrolman Frank H. Pfonner 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 Tonawanda City Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Tonawanda City Police Department

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank H. Pfonner's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Frank H. Pfonner Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Never identified

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank H. Pfonner is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank H. Pfonner was killed by automobile.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Tonawanda City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.