Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John Falcone was shot and killed after responding to a shots-fired call on Main Street.
He was just over a block away when he received the call and when he arrived at the scene, he encountered a man holding a 3-year-old child while waving a gun. The suspect fled, still holding the child, with Detective Falcone in pursuit.
Detective Falcone was able to rescue the child from the man and handed the child to a bystander before engaging in a struggle with the suspect as other officers arrived at the scene. During the struggle, Detective Falcone was fatally shot in the head before the man committed suicide while struggling with another officer.
The subject's wife was found in a nearby car with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Detective Falcone had served with the Poughkeepsie Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-8FF43940- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Falcone gave the Poughkeepsie City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Poughkeepsie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Falcone.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John M. Falcone is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Poughkeepsie City Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Falcone's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Falcone Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Falcone is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Falcone was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Poughkeepsie City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
