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Michael J. Foley
Agency patch
Detective

Michael J. Foley

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch April 10, 1937
Age 37
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Badge 525
The Vigil Panel 159 · Column 1 · Line 5 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Michael J. Foley joined the New York City Police Department in August 1924 and was promoted to detective only two years later. He served with the 9th Squad, carrying shield 525.

At about a quarter past three on the morning of 10 April 1937, he and his partner, Detective John Gallagher, were sitting near the door of the Café Boulevard, an all-night restaurant at 144 Second Avenue that four gunmen had robbed six weeks before. The same four men walked in and announced another hold-up. Detective Foley drew his gun, and one of the robbers opened fire. Foley emptied his revolver at them before he fell, shot in the abdomen. Two of the gunmen escaped down the stairs, one dragging a wounded companion, while Gallagher held the other two at gunpoint until help arrived and then rushed his partner to hospital, where Foley died. All four men were eventually arrested.

He was 37 and had served thirteen years. He was remembered as fearless. After his funeral on 14 April 1937 he was buried in St. John's Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and daughter.

Survivors

Detective Foley served with the New York City Police Department 13 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Detective Foley gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Foley.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch April 10, 1937
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Age 37
Badge Number 525
Gender Male
Assignment 9 Squad

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

April holds 8.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Michael J. Foley

New York City Police Department · End of Watch April 10, 1937

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E

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