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Incident
Police Officer Patrick Whalen was killed when a transformer exploded at the Proctor Theater at 53 S. Broadway in Yonkers. Officer Whalen had parked his motorcycle in front of a theater when an explosion came without warning and threw slabs of sidewalk into the air, creating a massive hole in the sidewalk. An electrical transformer had shorted and blew up, and A 10-year-old girl had fallen into the burning hole. Officer Whalen, running up the street, saw the child in the hole and immediately jumped in to rescue her. He handed the girl up to off-duty officers. A few seconds later, a second explosion occurred, virtually incinerating Officer Whalen, who was still in the hole. He died instantly. Officer Whalen had served with the Yonkers Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, son, mother, and brother. In 1985, Fifty-one years later, Officer Whalen was posthumously awarded his agency's Medal of Honor. The award was presented to his great-nephew, who also served with the Yonkers Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, son, mother, and brother.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Whalen gave the Yonkers Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Yonkers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Whalen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Yonkers Police Department has lost 20 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Patrick is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 1 officer at Yonkers Police Department was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 2.
In 1934, 7 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1934, 91 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1934, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Patrick was 48. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Yonkers Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 46.3; the middle age was 40. Patrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Patrick was 48. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Patrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Patrick was 48. 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. Patrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patrick was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Patrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 18.2% of these deaths at Yonkers Police Department; October holds the most, 18.2%. Fridays: 9.1%.
February holds 7% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.5%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 55% of all 20 deaths at Yonkers Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Yonkers Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Patrick among them.
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Edward Burns
Sep 5, 1904
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Dennis McElroy
Oct 25, 1916
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Wilfred Matthews Oct 29, 1916
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Edward J. Morrison
Jul 18, 1918
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Daniel Shea
Apr 6, 1926
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John Hudock
Feb 21, 1928
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Michael J. Walsh
Dec 23, 1929
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Patrick F. Whalen
Feb 23, 1934
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George J. Erling
Jun 30, 1935
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Daniel E. Quilty
Oct 15, 1936
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Joseph Kostik
Apr 17, 1938
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Albert Liptak
Apr 18, 1938
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John W. Cahill
Jan 23, 1940
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Harold L. Woods
Sep 22, 1974
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John Silinsky
Sep 30, 1982
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Anthony Maggiore
Nov 22, 2014
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Roy D. McLaughlin
Sep 10, 2015
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William J. Sullivan, Jr.
Apr 11, 2020
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Stanley J. Kasper
Jul 9, 2021
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Frank Gualdino
Dec 1, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Yonkers Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
