Yonkers Police Department, New York
End of Watch Friday, February 23, 1934
Add to My HeroesPatrick F. Whalen
Police Officer Whalen was killed when a transformer exploded. Officer Whalen had parked his motorcycle in front of a theater when an explosion in front of the theater came without warning and threw slabs of sidewalk into the air creating a massive hole in the sidewalk. An electrical transformer had shorted and blew up and A 10-year-old girl had fallen into the burning hole.
Officer Whalen, running up the street, saw the child in the hole and immediately jumped in to rescue her. He handed the girl up to off-duty officers. A few seconds later a second explosion occurred virtually incinerating Officer Whalen, who was still in the hole. He died instantly.
In 1985, Fifty-one years later Officer Whalen was posthumously awarded his agency's Medal of Honor. The award was presented to his great nephew, who also served with the Yonkers Police Department.
Bio
- Age Not available
- Tour Not available
- Badge 94
Incident Details
- Cause Explosion
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsTrue Hero, that is how Police Officer Patrick Whalen is known and will always be known.... All police officers should take note and should,will and can learn about absolute bravery from you Officer Whalen!
God Bless You for your heroic service, peacefully rest!
NJD
Ret PennsP/O and State Investigator
August 8, 2014
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