New York State Police, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, December 14, 1975
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 3478
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 14, 1975
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed by officers
Trooper William McDonagh was shot and killed after responding to a dispute at 9:45 pm.
While en route to the call, the suspect shot and killed his girlfriend, who had called for police assistance. When Trooper McDonagh arrived, he was shot and killed by the suspect. Backup units arrived and shot and killed the suspect, who refused to drop his weapon.
Trooper McDonagh was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and had served with the New York State Police for two years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.