William E. J. Brophy
Agency patch
Patrolman

William E. J. Brophy

Accident
End of Watch September 22, 1946
Age 44
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Badge 17729
The Vigil Panel 82 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Brophy was killed in an automobile crash while on duty. He and his partner were on patrol when their vehicle struck the center divider in the roadway on Main Street near 68th Avenue in Flushing, Queens. The patrol car overturned and Patrolman Brophy was killed. His partner was seriously injured, but recovered from his injuries. Patrolman Brophy had served with the New York City Police Department for 16 years and was survived by his wife and five children. He was assigned to the 109th Precinct.

Survivors

Patrolman Brophy had served with the New York City Police Department for 16 years and was survived by his wife and five children.

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.
Patrolman Brophy gave the New York City Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Brophy.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 22, 1946
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Age 44
Badge Number 17729
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1946, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 44. 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. William had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William E. J. Brophy

New York City Police Department · End of Watch September 22, 1946

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W

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