Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward O'Leary was killed when a prisoner grabbed the steering wheel of his patrol car, intentionally causing it to crash. He was working a plainclothes assignment and had arrested the woman for prostitution. He was transporting her to the police station when she grabbed the steering wheel at the intersection of Central Park West and West 105th Street. The woman yanked the steering wheel, causing the patrol car to strike an oncoming bus head-on. Patrolman O'Leary suffered severe head injuries and was transported to Knickerbocker Hospital where he died two days later. Six passengers on the bus suffered minor injuries. The 21-year-old woman fled the scene in a taxi cab but turned herself in. She was charged with prostitution, escaping custody, and murder. In court her attorney said she just wanted to escape because she was afraid of the withdrawal symptoms she would go through if she could not get her heroin. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year in jail. In 1959 she was arrested for possession of heroin with intent to sell. Patrolman O'Leary had served with the New York City Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to the 7th Division.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-F2EF76AE- 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.
Patrolman O'Leary gave the New York City Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Leary.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edward J. O'Leary 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 New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward J. O'Leary's cause is highlighted.
How Edward J. O'Leary Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward J. O'Leary is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward J. O'Leary was killed by automobile.
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.
