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Patrolman

Howard H. Hegerich

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch July 30, 1945

Age 24

Badge 19731

The Vigil Panel 182 · Column 1 · Line 9 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Howard Hegerich was shot and killed after confronting two men who were about to rob a store in the 200 block of 88th Avenue. Patrolman Hegerich had completed a four to midnight tour and on his way home when he observed four men peering into a restaurant window in the Creedmore section of Queens. As Patrolman Hegerich approached the men, all four men, each with two .38 caliber revolvers, turned and opened fire, striking Patrolman Hegerich five times. Patrolman Hegerich was able to return fire. All four suspects, 26, 23, 22, and 22 were arrested two weeks later and charged with murder. It was discovered Patrolman Hegerich's return fire did slightly injure one. They were linked to 26 local store hold-ups, several burglaries, and another shooting , all committed during the past three weeks. The other shooting was the owner of a liquor store they shot twice in his groin when he resisted as they robbed his store. Their crime spree started on July 15 when they broke into and stole 18 .38 caliber revolvers from the Queens Headquarters of the City Patrol Corps at the William Bryant High School. Police received a tip that led them to all four suspects, two who were ex-convicts. All four were arrested, later convicted of second degree murder and each sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Patrolman Hegerich was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman Hegerich was assigned to the 28th Precinct.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hegerich served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hegerich.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 30, 1945

Age 24

Badge Number 19731

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Howard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Howard was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded