Anthony J. McGinley — who was born October 8, 1909 — was appointed to the force on March 26, 1938. As a Police Officer, McGinley served in the 14th Precinct in Manhattan, until he was promoted to Detective third grade on September 5, 1941. He was assigned to the 5th Detective District, 18th Division. On December 23, 1944, while on patrol, at approximately 9:55 p.m., McGinley and colleagues responded to a radio call at 29 Hancock Place in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, where a man named Louis Austen had assaulted his wife. Det. McGinley and four other Officers broke down the apartment door and were greeting by a shotgun blast. McGinley was hit in the side and stomach. Despite being seriously wounded, McGinley fired off six shots at the gunman, who was shot and killed by Patrolmen Otto Nissner, Stephen Brennan, John Walson, and John Bryant. The perp died at the scene. McGinley was transported to Sydenham Hospital. During his four days in the medical facility, Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine promoted the ailing Detective to second grade, which, at that time, carried with it a $200 increase in annual salary. Despite the contribution of blood donations from his colleagues, and the removal of “three slugs” from his body, on December 27, 1944, four days after being shot, McGinley passed away. On April 30, 1945, Commissioner Valentine presented the NYPD Medal of Honor to McGinley’s family. The four other Officers received “Honorable Mentions.” McGinley was only 35 years old, and left a wife, Helen, and two, small children: William, age six, and Marianne, age four. McGinley and Helen had been married since February 22, 1936. The family lived at 1075 Nelson Avenue in The Bronx. McGinley was given a full Inspector’s funeral attended by at least 1,000 police. As was the custom at the time, he was waked at home. A memorial mass was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in The Bronx. McGinley is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Helen McGinley passed away in 1999. McGinley’s brother was first grade Det. Edward McGinley, who also served in the NYPD from the early 1930s until 1961. He passed away in 1974. On February 25, 2017, at the 26th Precinct Stationhouse, a new, granite plaque, financed by the DEA, was dedicated to McGinley’s memory. Read more about Det. McGinley on the DEA's website.