New York State Office of the Attorney General - Criminal Division, New York
End of Watch: Saturday, November 8, 1980
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 8, 1980
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Special Investigator Thomas Neilan was shot and killed when he attempted to take action against two men who abducted him at gunpoint during a robbery in Queens, New York, at about 12:30 am.
He was pulling into the driveway of his home in the 9200 block of 216th Street when the men entered his car. They forced him to drive to another location where Investigator Neilan drew his weapon, identified himself, and fired a shot at the suspect. At the same time, the subjects returned fire, striking him in the head twice and once in the neck.
Investigator Neilan had served with the New York State Office of Attorney General for two years. He was survived by his parents.