Incident
Detective Sergeant Joseph Guarnieri was shot and killed in an apartment at 1888 Second Avenue when he and another detective went to arrest a man who was wanted for a shooting. Detective Guarnieri and his partner had just testified in front of the Grand Jury against the suspect. A witness also testified. The witness was shot later in the day by the father of the man he testified against. Detective Guarnieri and his partner were notified of the shooting and tracked the suspect to a tenement at 1880 2nd Avenue, Manhattan. Detective Guarnieri, his partner, and several other officers went to the location to arrest the suspect. As they searched the apartment the suspect, who was hiding in a room, appeared and shot Detective Guarnieri once in the head, killing him. Detective Guarnieri 's partner returned fire, striking the suspect several times, killing him. Detective Guarnieri was a highly decorated member of the New York City Police Department. In July 1911 he was shot and severely wounded. He remained in the hospital for several months and returned to full duty only weeks before being killed. Detective Guarnieri served with the New York City Police Department for seven years where he obtained the rank of Detective, First Grade, the highest grade for the Detective rank. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter. Detective Guarnieri was assigned to the Detective Division.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-8088AD2A- 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 Sergeant Guarnieri gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Guarnieri.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Joseph Guarnieri 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. Joseph Guarnieri's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Guarnieri Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Guarnieri is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Guarnieri was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
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