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Incident
Detective John Falcone was shot and killed after responding to a shots-fired call on Main Street.
He was just over a block away when he received the call and when he arrived at the scene, he encountered a man holding a 3-year-old child while waving a gun. The suspect fled, still holding the child, with Detective Falcone in pursuit.
Detective Falcone was able to rescue the child from the man and handed the child to a bystander before engaging in a struggle with the suspect as other officers arrived at the scene. During the struggle, Detective Falcone was fatally shot in the head before the man committed suicide while struggling with another officer.
The subject's wife was found in a nearby car with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Detective Falcone had served with the Poughkeepsie Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Detective Falcone gave the Poughkeepsie City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Poughkeepsie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Falcone.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Poughkeepsie City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 5 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 44. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 44. 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. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Poughkeepsie City Police Department, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Poughkeepsie City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Poughkeepsie City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
