Buffalo Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 7, 1970
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: 26 years
Badge Number: 999
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 7, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Joseph O'Neil was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to Meyer Memorial Hospital.
The subject had walked into the Precinct 3 station house earlier in the day and was charged under the state's mental hygiene law to be admitted to a hospital.
As Patrolman O'Neil and two other officers approached the emergency room door the man grabbed one of the officers' service revolvers from its holster and began running. He then turned and opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman O'Neil. One of the other officers returned fire and killed the subject.
Patrolman O'Neil had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 26 years and was assigned to Precinct 3.