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Incident
Detective Alfred Boesch suffered a fatal heart attack while executing a search warrant in a Queens housing complex. Detective Boesch was assigned to execute a search warrant with other members of his team. He was assigned to breach the apartment door with a hydraulic door breaker. Once at the location, Detective Boesch, wearing a heavy vest, carried the power supply for the door breaker to the 3rd-floor hallway. When the order was given to take the door, Detective Boesch bent down to turn on the door breaker and collapsed onto the floor, and went into cardiac arrest. He died a short time later at Western Queens Hospital. Detective Boesch had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for 10 years and was assigned to the Narcotics Enforcement Unit. He was survived by his wife and two sons. In 1996, Detective Boesch was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Purple Shield Medal.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 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.
Detective Boesch gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Boesch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has lost 19 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Alfred is one of 102 officers lost to cardiac events in NY, 4.8% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 2 officers in NY were lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 57 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 6.
In 1995, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1995, 18 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 18th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Alfred was 32. Of the 92 lost to cardiac events in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 51.5; the middle age was 45. Alfred had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Alfred was 32. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Alfred had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Alfred was 32. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Alfred had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 13.7% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Saturdays: 13.7%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.3%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 10.5% of all 19 deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Alfred among them.
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Philip Schultz
Oct 9, 1965
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Willie L Stephenson
Jul 3, 1966
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Robert Harris
Dec 20, 1967
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Arthur Pelo
Sep 25, 1971
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Harold L. Marshall
Dec 7, 1971
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Carson Terry
Dec 20, 1971
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Vito A. Chiaramonte
Sep 26, 1977
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James O. Washington
May 29, 1978
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Ted W. Donald
Jun 15, 1979
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James T. Dunston
Nov 20, 1980
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Jan Hendrik Brinkers
May 4, 1981
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James G. Carragher
Feb 11, 1982
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James Holmes
Mar 23, 1986
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Anthony Oswald McLean
Apr 13, 1988
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Gary L. Peaco
Jun 16, 1988
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Paul Heidelberger
Jul 18, 1992
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Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.
Jul 4, 1993
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John Williamson
Oct 8, 1993
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Alfred T. Boesch
Jan 21, 1995
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
