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Incident
George Caccavale was a detective with the New York City Transit Police, where he had served for 11 years. He was one of the four original members of the Transit Police Pickpocket Squad. To support his wife and two young children, he also worked a second job for the Van Dam Check Cashing Corporation in Long Island City, Queens.
On Friday, 25 June 1976, while off duty, Detective Caccavale drove to a bank to collect cash for the check-cashing business. As he got out of his car with the bag of money, three men who had been waiting for him, Richard Payton, Percy Moore and Claude Holland, confronted him. They knew he was a police officer. He identified himself and drew one of the two guns he carried, but the men opened fire, hitting him in the chest, thigh and legs, and fled with the gun he had drawn. More than 120 people came forward to donate blood while he lay in the hospital. He died of internal bleeding at Greenpoint Hospital the next day, 26 June 1976. He was 33 years old.
The three men, who had met while serving time in Stateville Penitentiary in Illinois, fled to other cities but were eventually caught by a joint NYPD and Transit Police detective task force. Each was sentenced to 25 years to life. Payton died in prison in 2007 and Moore in 2009; Holland remained in prison.
Detective Caccavale received an Inspector's funeral. He was survived by his wife, Nancy, who called him "Papa George," their nine-year-old son, Carmine, and their three-week-old daughter, Carla. Among those who mourned him were his neighbors, the family of Mario Biaggi, then a United States Representative from the Bronx.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Caccavale gave the New York City Transit Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Caccavale.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Transit Police Department has lost 14 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 2 officers at New York City Transit Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 3.
In 1976, 7 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 33. Of the 11 killed feloniously at New York City Transit Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 36. George had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
George was 33. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. George had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
George 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. George had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 36.4% of these deaths at New York City Transit Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 27.3%.
June holds 6.5% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Saturdays: 14.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.6% of all 14 deaths at New York City Transit Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.3% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Transit Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, George among them.
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John Tuohy
Mar 20, 1963
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Lloyd Herman Innes
Jun 16, 1967
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Michael Melchiona
Feb 28, 1970
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John M Skagen
Jun 28, 1972
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Sidney L. Thompson
Jun 5, 1973
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George Caccavale
Jun 26, 1976
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Carlos King
Dec 20, 1976
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Seraphin Calabrese
Feb 24, 1980
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Irving W. Smith
Feb 29, 1980
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Joseph Keegan
Jun 19, 1980
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Joseph Hamperian
Sep 22, 1983
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Irma Fran Lozada
Sep 21, 1984
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Robert Venable
Sep 22, 1987
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William T. Martin
Apr 9, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York City Transit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
