Francis Walsh
Agency patch
Patrolman

Francis Walsh

Felonious
End of Watch September 4, 1961
Age 30
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Badge 22349
The Vigil Panel 96 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Francis Walsh was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man who was robbing a food market. Patrolman Walsh and his partner were walking their beat on Eighth Avenue, between 135th and 136th Streets, in Manhattan, when they observed a man threatening a clerk inside a food market. Patrolman Walsh told his partner to wait outside and entered the market. As he entered, the suspect turned and fired five shots, striking Patrolman Walsh three times. Patrolman Walsh staggered out of the market and fell to the ground. The suspect ran out of the store and fired at Patrolman Walsh's partner. His partner returned fire and pursued the suspect into a subway station, where he was able to apprehend him. Patrolman Walsh was taken to Harlem Hospital, where he died from his wounds. The suspect pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, where he died in 1981. Patrolman Walsh had served with the New York City Police Department for four years and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct.

Survivors

He is survived by his parents and brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-74E8DF95
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 Walsh gave the New York City Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Walsh.

— 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 September 4, 1961
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 30
Badge Number 22349
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to 50 years in prison

Patrolman Francis Walsh 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. Francis Walsh'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 Francis Walsh Compares

Age at End of Watch
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 50 years in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis Walsh is highlighted in Sep.

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. Francis Walsh was killed by gun; unknown type.

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

Incident Location