Sergeant William O'Shaughnessy

William O'Shaughnessy

Sergeant William O'Shaughnessy was shot and killed when he was alerted to the robbery of a speakeasy at 329 Lenox Avenue in Harlem.

The subjects had customers lined up against the wall and were taking their valuables. When Sergeant O'Shaughnessy entered the cafe, the subjects fired and killed him before he could return fire. The two men then stole a taxi cab and fled until they crashed a short time later.

Four nearby policemen heard the crash and went to investigate, not knowing of the earlier shooting. The two men opened fire on the four officers, who immediately returned fire.

The two men were taken into custody. Both were convicted of Sergeant O'Shaughnessy's murder and executed in the electric chair on December 10, 1932.

Sergeant O'Shaughnessy had served with the New York City Police Department for 35 years, assigned to the 28th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and two sons.