Detective Henry R. McDevitt, who was nicknamed “Pappy,” died in the line of duty on June 26, 1977. His death was the result of a fall that occurred when McDevitt and his partner — as members of the Anti-Crime Unit — were investigating a burglary in progress on Mt. Eden Avenue in the confines of the 48 Precinct in The Bronx.
Det. McDevitt was on a ladder attempting to enter an apartment through the window when he fell and shattered his knee. Weeks later, a blood clot formed and reached his heart and killed him.
McDevitt was only 43 years old and left a wife, Margaret (“Marge”), and five sons. He had been a 14-year veteran of the Police Department, earning his nickname when he turned out to be the oldest cadet in his Academy class, so his colleagues affectionately called him “pappy.” His other nickname given to him by friends and family was “Mickey.”
Det. McDevitt was described as energetic, dedicated, caring, gentle, fair, and kind.
In 1980, when son Robert was 20 and an artist in college, he built a black-matte, metal, modern, kinetic sculpture in memory of his father and called it “Movement in Space 2.” For years the sculpture stood in the main room of the 48 Precinct. The New York Times covered the dedication, and when asked if his father understood abstract art, Robert replied, “He was one of the few people who did.” Det. McDevitt encouraged his sons to do what they loved and follow their dreams. Unfortunately, during a renovation of the precinct, a construction crew inadvertently destroyed the piece.
In 2009, the DEA installed a new plaque to McDevitt, and has since upgraded it to a large, granite plaque.
Pappy and Marge now have grandchildren, and Bill McDevitt’s son Scott is on the job. Scott McDevitt joined the force in 2018, was promoted to Detective in 2023, and in 2026, was promoted to Sergeant.
Marge, who remained a member of the DEA family for the 43 years following her husband’s death, passed away on April 1, 2020, at the age of 86. It was Marge’s wish for all of those 43 years that a street be renamed for her beloved husband near their home in Deer Park. On November 13th, 2021, that dream came true. The corner of West 14 Street and Long Island Avenue in Deer Park, New York has been renamed Detective Henry R. McDevitt Memorial Way.
Henry McDevitt | NY Times May 10, 1980
