Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Keenan was accidentally shot and killed by another patrolman who mistook him for a suspect. Patrolman Keenan was off-duty and riding in a taxi in the vicinity 6th Street and 1st Avenue when he observed what he thought was a robbery in progress. What he was in fact observing was two off duty patrolman chasing and attempting to arrest a man who had just assaulted another. Patrolman Keenan exited the taxi and approached, and reached for his gun when one of the other off-duty patrolmen opened fire, striking Patrolman Keenan. Patrolman Keenan was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he died from his wound. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor. Patrolman Keenan had served with the New York City Police Department for two months and was assigned to the Police College, Recruit Training School, the present day Police Academy.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-AA74FDB9- 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.
Probationary Patrolman Keenan served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Probationary Patrolman Keenan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Probationary Patrolman Edward P. Keenan is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward P. Keenan's cause is highlighted.
How Edward P. Keenan Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Edward P. Keenan is highlighted in Feb.
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.
