James E. Bussey
Agency patch
Patrolman

James E. Bussey

Felonious
End of Watch October 28, 1945
Age 33
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 556
The Vigil Panel 82 ›
Gender Male

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.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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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

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

Service Record

End of Watch October 28, 1945
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 33
Badge Number 556
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James 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 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

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.

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%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman James E. Bussey

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 28, 1945

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E

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