William J. Duncan
Agency patch
Patrolman

William J. Duncan

Felonious
End of Watch May 17, 1930
Age 28
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 4326
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Duncan was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend car thief who fled from the scene of a vehicle collision. Patrolman Duncan was on foot patrol near the corner of Ninth Avenue and Forty Eighth Street when he observed a vehicle collide with a parked car. Unknown to Patrolman Duncan, the driver had stolen the vehicle hours earlier. Upon observing the collision, Patrolman Duncan approached the scene. As he did, the driver exited from the vehicle and fled on foot. Patrolman Duncan pursued him, and fired two warning shots into the air. As Patrolman Duncan got closer to the suspect, the suspect turned and fired a .25 caliber pistol, striking Patrolman Duncan in the chest. Patrolman Duncan was able to return fire before falling to the ground, but his shots did not strike the suspect. Patrolman Duncan died at the scene. The suspect dropped his gun and continued to flee on foot, escaping capture. He was never identified. Patrolman Duncan served with the New York City Police Department for two years. He was assigned to the Midtown North Precinct.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Duncan 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 Duncan.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 17, 1930
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 4326
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 28. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William J. Duncan

New York City Police Department · End of Watch May 17, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E

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