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William Joseph McCaffrey
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Joseph McCaffrey

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch October 3, 1929
Age 44
Tour of Duty 19 yrs
Badge 2151
The Vigil Panel 58 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman McCaffrey was struck and killed by two fire trucks while on his traffic post. Patrolman McCaffrey was on traffic duty at the corner of Fourteenth Street and Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, when he heard firetrucks approaching. Patrolman McCaffrey stopped traffic in the intersection to allow the trucks to pass. As they approached, from opposite directions, Patrolman McCaffrey noticed that a collision between the two trucks was imminent, so he began to blow his whistle and wave his arms franticly, in an attempted to draw the attention of one of the fire truck drivers. Nether driver saw Patrolman McCaffrey and he was struck by both fire trucks and killed. Patrolman McCaffrey was awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman McCaffrey had served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years and was survived by his wife and three sons. He was assigned to Traffic Precinct A.

Survivors

Patrolman McCaffrey had served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years and was survived by his wife and three sons.

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.
Patrolman McCaffrey gave the New York City Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McCaffrey.

— 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 October 3, 1929
Tour of Duty 19 yrs
Age 44
Badge Number 2151
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

William 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 44. 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. William had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 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, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Joseph McCaffrey

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 3, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E

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