Bio & Incident Details
Age: 33
Tour: 7 years
Badge # 556
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 10/28/1945
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Executed in 1947
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Patrolman 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 travailing north on Ninth 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 along side 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 has he ran. As the suspects fled, a Detective jumped from his car, opened fire at one suspects and then tackled him to the ground. A retired New York State Trooper who witnessed the incident ran up to the 2nd suspect and knocked him out with a right hook. One other suspect was also apprehended.
Two suspects were charged with murder for the killing of Patrolman Bussey and for the murder of another man several days earlier during the commission of a robbery. The 3rd man was charged with supplying the men with the illegal handguns.
The suspect that shot and killed Patrolman Bussey was convicted of 1st degree murder for killing Patrolman Bussey and 2nd 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 7 years and was assigned to the 18th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and three children.
Officer Bussey was survived by his wife and three children.
