Nassau County Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Monday, February 4, 1946
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: 36
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 4, 1946
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman John West was shot and killed after arresting a speeder while assigned to the Highway Patrol Bureau and was transporting the suspect to the precinct house when he produced a gun and shot him.
The suspect, 24, was apprehended in Brooklyn three days later and confessed to the murder. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 45 years to life.
The Nassau County Police Department prohibited a single officer from transporting a prisoner as a result of Patrolman West's murder.
Patrolman West had served with the agency for 17 years.