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Daniel Francis McCrea
Incident
Location: New York Incident Date: Saturday, June 20, 1908 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Not available
Detective Daniel McCrea succumbed to a gunshot wound received four days earlier at the Buffalo Creek rail yards near, Fillmore Avenue, in Buffalo, New York.
He was attacked by several men who he and a New York Central officer had told to leave shortly before. After driving the men off with his billy club Detective McCrea boarded a freight train at Fillmore Avenue and Clinton Street and stood on the bumpers between two cars.
One of the men that he had just told to leave climbed to the top of the car, as the other four stood watch on the ground, and surprised Detective McCrea. The man fired as Detective McCrea looked up, striking him in the face. Detective McCrea was taken to Emergency Hospital where he died two days later. One suspect was arrested the following day but the shooter fled on a west-bound freight train.
Detective McCrea was much disliked by the local criminals and had been shot at several times during the previous weeks. He had been a detective with the railroad for only a few months.
Survivors
He was survived by his father.
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.
Detective McCrea served with the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McCrea.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 22. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Daniel was 22. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 22. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.5% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Wednesdays: 9.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 3.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police has 2 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police are honored on badge.nw.
