Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Hugh Willoughby was shot and killed while off duty when he attempted to take action during a robbery at 501 W. 126th Street. When Officer Willoughby apprehended the suspect at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot him six times. The suspect was arrested and convicted of murder. He was paroled on January 30, 1976. Officer Willoughby was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and served with the New York City Police Department for six years. He was assigned to the 26th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-7626A556- 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 Willoughby gave the New York City Police Department 6 years.
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
Hugh Weldon Willoughby served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Hugh Weldon Willoughby 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. Hugh Weldon Willoughby's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh Weldon Willoughby Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1976
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Weldon Willoughby is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Weldon Willoughby 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.
