NYPD cop, 36, commits suicide at restaurant in upstate NY

A 36-year-old NYPD detective shot himself dead outside an upstate New York restaurant over the weekend. 

Local reports have identified the officer as Detective Nicholas Budney, who shot himself in the head on Saturday night outside popular waterfront restaurant and bar Billy Joe’s Ribworks in Newburgh, New York.

Police sources told News 12 that Budney’s body went undetected until the next day, when Newburgh police found him Sunday morning at 11am on the outside patio of the restaurant.

Local reports have identified the officer as Detective Nicholas Budney (pictured with his wife, Shannon), who shot himself in the head on Saturday night outside popular waterfront restaurant and bar Billy Joe’s Ribworks in Newburgh, New York

Police sources said Budney's (pictured) body went undetected until the next day, when Newburgh police found him Sunday morning at 11am on the outside patio of the restaurant

Budney was promoted to detective in February 2017 (pictured)

Police sources said Budney’s (left) body went undetected until the next day, when Newburgh police found him Sunday morning at 11am on the outside patio of the restaurant. Budney was promoted to detective in February 2017 (right) 

Newburgh police said in a press release that Budney's death was ruled as a suicide on Wednesday

Newburgh police said in a press release that Budney’s death was ruled as a suicide on Wednesday

Newburgh police said in a press release on Wednesday that his death was ruled as a suicide.

Budney was a native of Rock Tavern and according to his obituary, he attended SUNY Plattsburgh and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 

In 2005, the detective graduated from the New York City Police Academy ‘where he was a proud officer assigned to the 47th Precinct in the Bronx’. 

Budney was also a member of Special Operations at the 47th Precinct and he was named Cop of the Year four times.

He was currently was assigned to the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit Truck 3 in the Bronx. 

Budney served as a member of the North Highlands Fire Department and was fireman of the year, according to his obituary. 

Budney and his wife Shannon pictured together

Budney married his wife Shannon (pictured) in 2013

Budney was a native of Rock Tavern and according to his obituary, he attended SUNY Plattsburgh and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He married his wife Shannon (left and right with her husband) in 2013 

Budney also served as a member of the North Highlands Fire Department and was fireman of the year, according to his obituary

Budney also served as a member of the North Highlands Fire Department and was fireman of the year, according to his obituary

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, that the public make donations in Budney's honor to NYC Detective Endowment Association Widows and Orphans Fund. Pictured is Billy Joe's Ribworks where the detective's body was found on Sunday 

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, that the public make donations in Budney’s honor to NYC Detective Endowment Association Widows and Orphans Fund. Pictured is Billy Joe’s Ribworks where the detective’s body was found on Sunday 

He is survived by his wife Shannon Sheehan Budney, his parents and several family members. 

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, that the public make donations in Budney’s honor to NYC Detective Endowment Association Widows and Orphans Fund.

A funeral service will be held for Budney on February 3 in Cold Spring.  



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