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Joseph Galapo
Agency patch
Detective

Joseph Galapo

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch August 16, 1988
Age 30
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 2003
The Vigil Panel 296 · Column 1 · Line 19 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Police Officer Joe Galapo was accidentally shot and killed by his partner as the two officers attempted to arrest two narcotics suspects on Fourth Avenue, between 59th Street and 60th Street. Officer Galapo and his partner were arresting two subjects who had just engaged in a narcotics transaction. The officers had both suspects place their hands on the hood of a car, and as Officer Galapo moved in to handcuff the suspects, one of the men spun around and struck Officer Galapo's partner in the arm. Officer Galapo's partner's arm was thrown to the side, and his firearm discharged one round. The round struck Officer Galapo in the head. Officer Galapo was transported to the hospital where he died several hours later from the wound. The subject, who was on probation, was apprehended after a short pursuit and charged with criminally negligent homicide. He was sentenced to the maximum sentence of two to four years. Officer Galapo had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to Brooklyn South Narcotics.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

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.
Police Officer Galapo gave the New York City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Galapo.

— 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 August 16, 1988
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 30
Badge Number 2003
Gender Male
Assignment Brooklyn South Narcotics

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 30. 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. Joseph had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

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, Joseph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Joseph Galapo

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 16, 1988

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W

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