William G. Long
Agency patch
Patrolman

William G. Long

Felonious
End of Watch September 2, 1956
Age 27
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 15186
The Vigil Panel 92 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Long was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man in a parking lot at 165th Street and Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. Patrolman Long observed the man tampering with an automobile, and when he approached to make the arrest, the suspect opened fire, killing Patrolman Long. The suspect was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, approximately two weeks later. He was convicted of murder on March 26, 1957, and sentenced to death. He was executed at Sing Sing Prison on November 20, 1958. Patrolman Long was posthumously awarded the department's Medal of Honor at the 1957 awards ceremony. In 1959 a new police launch was christened the "Patrolman Long" in his honor. He had served with the New York City Police Department for only 2 years and was assigned to the 103rd Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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 Long 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 Long.

— 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 September 2, 1956
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 15186
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 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 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 27. 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

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William G. Long

New York City Police Department · End of Watch September 2, 1956

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E

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