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Incident
Officer Brian Rooney was shot and killed as revenge for revoking the parole and returning to prison, the leader of a notorious Queens drug ring he supervised. Officer Rooney was sitting in his car on 119th Avenue near 155th Street when another car pulled up next to his, and one of two suspects inside the car opened fire on him. Officer Rooney was struck in the head, back, and left arm. In 1989, when New York Police Department Police Officer Edward R. Byrne's killer was convicted, it sparked a federal and state investigation into a drug organization. By 1992, the investigation revealed that the leader of the drug ring, who was in prison, had ordered members of his organization to assassinate Officer Rooney. Officer Rooney's killer, his accomplice, and two others were arrested and charged with murder. The drug ring's leader was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years to life. He was released on April 7, 2022, to federal authorities. He is responsible for hundreds of deaths by murder or drugs. In exchange for information involving drug activities, the shooter pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 29 years. The shooter's accomplice and another suspect were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years. The fifth suspect was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. All five were also convicted of federal drug charges and were sentenced to several additional years. In September 2020, the suspect who lured Officer Rooney to where he was killed by claiming to have information about one of his cases was paroled. The drug rings leader, known as "Fat Cat" was released on April 5, 2022, to federal authorities. He is to be tried at a later unknown date on several federal charges. Federal authorities would not discuss his case. Fat Cat is responsible for hundreds of deaths by murder or drug overdose. Officer Rooney had served with the New York State Division of Parole for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-BDAC-0RPQ-Pearlier record number BO-US-NY-0C654FAE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Parole Officer Rooney gave the New York State Division of Parole 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Parole Officer Rooney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York State Division of Parole has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 738 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,126 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 2 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 34. Of the 667 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Brian was 34. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 34. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at New York State Division of Parole, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,126 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
New York State Division of Parole has 6 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from New York State Division of Parole are honored on badge.nw.
