Joseph F. Dursee
Agency patch
Patrolman

Joseph F. Dursee

Felonious
End of Watch August 25, 1928
Age 35
The Vigil Panel 55 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Dursee was shot and killed in a running gunfight while pursuing three men who had just robbed the "Tom, Dick, and Harry Shoe Store" on Third Avenue of $20.00. As he was shot he managed to fire one more shot and seriously wound one of the suspects. During the shooting a woman bystander was seriously wounded when she was shot in the face. The wounded suspect was apprehended at the scene. The other two, including Officer Dursee's 27-year-old killer were apprehended a short time later. The gunman was found guilty of second degree murder on October 30, 1928, and sentenced to 20 years to life. Officer Dursee was assigned to the 8th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and 13-year-old daughter.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Dursee 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, Patrolman Dursee.

— 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 August 25, 1928
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Joseph 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 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 35. 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.

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

When

August holds 8.9% 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, Joseph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Joseph F. Dursee

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 25, 1928

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W

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