Michael J. Buczek
Agency patch
Police Officer

Michael J. Buczek

Felonious
End of Watch October 18, 1988
Age 24
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 3 mo
Badge 28
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Michael Buczek was shot and killed when he and his partner attempted to arrest two suspects on a drug charge in an apartment building at 580 West 161st Street in Washington Heights. One of the suspects shot Officer Buczek while attempting to run from the scene. Three suspects fled to the Dominican Republic where one later died in police custody and a second was apprehended by United States Marshals in 2000. The third suspect was apprehended in the Dominican Republic in May 2002. On June 19th, 2003, two of the suspects were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Officer Buczek had served with the New York City Police Department for over three years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and his sister. A baseball field, park, and elementary school have all been named in his honor.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, and his sister.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Police Officer Buczek gave the New York City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Buczek.

— 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 October 18, 1988
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 3 mo
Age 24
Badge Number 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 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 1988, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 24. 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. Michael had served 3.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Michael J. Buczek

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 18, 1988

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E

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