Horace L. Ford
Agency patch
Detective

Horace L. Ford

Felonious
End of Watch November 6, 1978
Age 39
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Badge 3187
The Vigil Panel 120 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Horace Ford was shot and killed as he exchanged shots with a suspect during a bank robbery, at 41-01 Kissena Boulevard in Queens, while off duty. The subject walked into the bank and announced a holdup, at which point Detective Ford drew his weapon and identified himself. The man immediately opened fire, striking Detective Ford. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and killed the subject. Detective Ford was transported to Booth Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later. Detective Ford had served with the NYPD for 12 years and was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-4F3BD83A
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.
Detective Ford gave the New York City Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ford.

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

Agency

Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 6, 1978
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 39
Badge Number 3187
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Shot and killed

Detective Horace L. Ford 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

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Horace L. Ford'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 Horace L. Ford Compares

Age at End of Watch
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
12
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Horace L. Ford is highlighted in Nov.

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. Horace L. Ford was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location