Thomas Francis Gaffney
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas Francis Gaffney

Accident
End of Watch March 2, 1924
Age 46
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Badge 5573
The Vigil Panel 46 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Gaffney was killed while he and another officer were assisting a motorist with a stalled car on the Manhattan Bridge. The stalled car was struck by a passing vehicle, throwing it into Patrolman Gaffney. Patrolman Gaffey had served with the New York City Police Department for 18 years and was assigned to the 26th Precinct. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters. He was assigned to the 26th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.

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 Gaffney gave the New York City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gaffney.

— 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 March 2, 1924
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 46
Badge Number 5573
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% 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 1924, 86 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Thomas Francis Gaffney

New York City Police Department · End of Watch March 2, 1924

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E

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