Michael W. Paolillo

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch September 23, 1970

Age 23

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 4063

The Vigil Panel 107 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Michael Paolillo was stabbed to death when he attempted to question a suspect at 3040 Cruger Avenue. Patrolman Paolillo was off-duty and talking with a friend inside a gun shop around 11:15 a.m. when a man entered and asked if he could have the grips on the gun adjusted. The store owner told him he could repair the gun, so the suspect took the .25-caliber revolver from a paper bag and gave it to the owner. As soon as the owner asked for identification, the subject took the gun back and left the store. Suspicious that the man did not have a license for the gun, Patrolman Paolillo followed the man out of the store and began to question him. While he was being questioned, the subject pulled out a knife and stabbed Patrolman Paolillo 17 times in the chest. The subject then stole Patrolman Paolillo's service weapon and fled from the location. On August 19, 1971, a suspect, 24, was arrested in the Bronx and charged with murder. On December 1, 1972, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He died in prison on August 7, 2014. Patrolman Paolillo had served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 42nd Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-E380C617
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 Paolillo gave the New York City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Paolillo.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 23, 1970

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 23

Badge Number 4063

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Offender 25 years to life

Patrolman Michael W. Paolillo 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