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Henry L. Pohndorf
Agency patch
Patrolman

Henry L. Pohndorf

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch May 10, 1922
Age 30
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Badge 3842
The Vigil Panel 43 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Keepsakes Department 1,215

Incident

Patrolman Henry Pohndorf succumbed to the gunshot wounds he received when he attempted to arrest a man who had just shot another man. Patrolman Pohndorf was on post near 420 Lenox Avenue, Manhattan, when he heard a gunshot come from that location. Patrolman Pohndorf ran to the location where he encountered the suspect, who opened fire, striking Patrolman Pohndorf in the neck. The suspect then jumped into a passing vehicle. Another patrolman gave chase, holding onto the running board of a taxi. The suspect fired at the patrolman, who returned fire. As the chase continued, the suspect fled on foot. A second patrolman joined the chase, and the suspect was captured after a fierce exchange of gunfire. Patrolman Pohndorf was removed to the hospital, where he died three days later from his wounds. The suspect, age 27, was acquitted of murder charged on the grounds that he was insane. He was remanded to Mattawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he died on April 19, 1954. Patrolman Pohndorf had served with the New York City Police Department for 15 years and was assigned to the 38th Precinct, the present-day 32nd Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
NW-14EC-MB0Y-3 earlier record number BO-US-NY-9E3F8A50
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Pohndorf gave the New York City Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pohndorf.

— 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 May 10, 1922
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 30
Badge Number 3842
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Henry is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.

33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Henry was 30. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Henry among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Henry L. Pohndorf

New York City Police Department · End of Watch May 10, 1922

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E

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