Incident
Patrolman James Bussey was shot and killed after stopped five suspicious men he suspected might be about to commit a robbery. Patrolman Bussey and his partner were on patrol traveling north on 9th Avenue, near the corner of 55th Street when they spotted five suspicious men as they were about to enter a bar and grill. The patrolmen pulled up alongside the men, and Patrolman Bussey began to exit the patrol car. As he did, one of the males turned around and opened fire, striking Patrolman Bussey in the head, killing him. Patrolman Bussey's partner returned fire pursued the suspects on foot, exchanging shots with them as he ran. As the suspects fled, a Detective jumped from his car, opened fire at one suspect and then tackled him to the ground. A retired New York State Police trooper who witnessed the incident ran up to the second suspect and knocked him out with a punch. One other suspect was also apprehended. Two suspects were charged with murder for the killing of Patrolman Bussey and the murder of another man several days earlier during the commission of a robbery. The third man was charged with supplying the men with the handguns. The subject who shot and killed Patrolman Bussey was convicted of first-degree murder for killing Patrolman Bussey and second-degree murder for the killing of the man during the robbery. He was sentenced to life in prison for the killing during the robbery and sentenced to death for the murder of Patrolman Bussey. He was executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing State Prison on July 10, 1947. The other suspects were also convicted and sentenced to time in prison. Patrolman Bussey was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman Bussey had served with the New York City Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the 18th Precinct. His wife and three children survived him.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqp8m20254hgps3kzfzc- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bussey gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bussey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Police Department has lost 1,222 officers; 367 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1945, 4 officers at New York City Police Department were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 111 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 23.
In 1945, 6 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1945, 70 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 108th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 33. Of the 348 killed feloniously at New York City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 40; the middle age was 34. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 33. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 33. 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. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 6.8% of these deaths at New York City Police Department; September holds the most, 14.2%. Sundays: 11.2%.
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 30% of all 1,222 deaths at New York City Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.4% 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, in 27.9% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.
-
Philip Lambrecht Mar 14, 1872
-
John J. Sherman Sep 1, 1891
-
Robert Nichol May 1, 1892
-
John J. Carey Nov 3, 1892
-
Thomas Gleason Sep 5, 1893
-
John T. Delehanty Sep 25, 1895
-
John F. Haughney Aug 10, 1896
-
William M. Lynam Aug 11, 1896
-
Edward M. Tein Aug 11, 1896
-
Michael E. Keating
Aug 12, 1896
-
James J. Rogers Aug 15, 1896
-
George Meehan Aug 20, 1896
-
Thomas R. McIntyre Sep 23, 1896
-
Oscar Reinhardt Apr 24, 1897
-
Frederick Smith Oct 26, 1897
-
Simon McDonnell Dec 7, 1897
-
Frederick H. Lincoln Jan 18, 1898
-
August Schneider Aug 26, 1898
-
Henry Buschmann Oct 8, 1898
-
Thomas Meagher Apr 27, 1899
-
Robert J. Thorpe Aug 13, 1900
-
Charles L. Horn Oct 8, 1900
-
William Baumeister
Nov 30, 1900
-
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick Jan 31, 1901
-
Edward J. Mullen
Jan 31, 1901
-
John E. Hoey
Oct 4, 1901
-
John J. Sheridan
Jul 16, 1902
-
Dennis Shea Nov 4, 1902
-
John T. Collins Jan 19, 1903
-
Frank J. Redican Dec 6, 1903
-
Peter MacDonald Feb 12, 1904
-
Francis P. Crowe Mar 8, 1904
-
Hugh J. Enright Mar 20, 1904
-
Charles J. Cameron
Jul 17, 1904
-
James D. O'Connell Sep 14, 1904
-
Patrick K. Cushing
Oct 28, 1904
-
John Kavanaugh Nov 10, 1904
-
James W. Devens Nov 25, 1904
-
Charles Matthews Dec 12, 1904
-
Ira D. Kinne Jan 17, 1905
-
John Eagan Jan 30, 1905
-
George M. Yeager Jul 3, 1905
-
William J. Hedeman
Jul 29, 1906
-
George Drake Misick
Nov 3, 1906
-
Thomas F. Gallagher Feb 8, 1907
-
George M. Sechler
Apr 14, 1907
-
Alfred A. Selleck Apr 16, 1907
-
Eugene M. Sheehan Oct 22, 1907
-
Edward J. Kavanagh Nov 14, 1907
-
Robert J. Fitzgerald
Jan 11, 1908
-
John J. Rhatigan
Jan 22, 1908
-
John Loughman Jan 27, 1908
-
John Bresnahan
Apr 8, 1908
-
Charles A. Berberich Nov 15, 1908
-
John B. Goldhammer
Feb 19, 1909
-
Thomas Smith Feb 27, 1909
-
Giuseppe Petrosino
Mar 12, 1909
-
Artemus L. Fish
May 18, 1909
-
John W. McCormick
Jul 9, 1910
-
James J. Mangan
Oct 26, 1910
-
Michael Lynch
Jul 1, 1911
-
William H. Galbraith
Nov 8, 1911
-
Thomas E. O'Connell
Jun 17, 1912
-
Peter Fitzsimons Nov 1, 1912
-
William B. Heaney
May 3, 1913
-
Eugene Burns May 3, 1913
-
Charles B. Teare
May 4, 1913
-
Bernard O'Rourke
Aug 1, 1913
-
Patrick Cotter
Aug 4, 1913
-
Joseph H. McNierney
Oct 3, 1913
-
Daniel Gibbons
Dec 19, 1913
-
Edward Murtha
Feb 6, 1914
-
Thomas Wynn
Mar 31, 1914
-
Joseph Guarnieri
Apr 2, 1914
-
Michael Kiley
May 4, 1914
-
John Mee
Jul 15, 1914
-
John E. Hodgins Oct 7, 1914
-
Edmond Lehane Dec 15, 1914
-
Rush A. Webster
Jun 20, 1915
-
George Dapping
Sep 24, 1915
-
Joseph M. Gaffney
Jan 11, 1916
-
William McAuliffe
Mar 18, 1916
-
Henry H. Schwarz
May 30, 1916
-
Bryan L. O'Donnell
Jun 11, 1916
-
Thomas F. J. O'Grady
Aug 24, 1916
-
Hugh McKiernan
Dec 5, 1916
-
Ralph E. Boyland Feb 21, 1917
-
DeForest Fredenburg Mar 10, 1917
-
John Lober
Mar 10, 1917
-
Richard Swanton Mar 16, 1917
-
Thomas H. Beresford
May 21, 1917
-
Samuel T. Cunningham Jun 19, 1917
-
John P. Flood
Jul 3, 1917
-
Robert H. Holmes
Aug 6, 1917
-
John J. Regan Aug 8, 1917
-
Samuel Rosenfeld
Feb 13, 1918
-
John J. Quinn Feb 16, 1918
-
Joseph A. Nolan Jun 26, 1918
-
William Barrett Aug 26, 1918
-
Thomas A. Herbert
Aug 30, 1918
-
Charles L. Bender Oct 1, 1918
-
Andrew M. Mullen
Oct 3, 1918
-
William W. Lewis Oct 4, 1918
-
John Robert Vogel
Oct 7, 1918
-
Edward Christian Devenport Oct 7, 1918
-
Daniel Joseph McCormick Oct 7, 1918
-
George Newton Relyea
Oct 10, 1918
-
James Joseph Killen Oct 10, 1918
-
Thomas O'Connell
Oct 10, 1918
-
John F. O'Hara Oct 10, 1918
-
John J. Gargan Oct 12, 1918
-
Cornelius Cuttrell
Oct 13, 1918
-
Lawrence Hennessey
Oct 13, 1918
-
John Julius Fisher
Oct 14, 1918
-
Abraham Blumenthal Oct 16, 1918
-
Carl Wuestenhoefer
Oct 16, 1918
-
Daniel A. McAllister
Oct 18, 1918
-
John W. Price Oct 18, 1918
-
Michael J. Morgan Oct 18, 1918
-
Arthur Schultz Oct 18, 1918
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,221 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















