Thomas J. Downey
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas J. Downey

Newark Police Division — Newark, NJ
Accident
End of Watch January 4, 1922
Age 34
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 42 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Downey was struck and killed by a trolley car while directing traffic at Broad and Bridge Streets in Newark.

The trolley was pulling another trolley, and at Bridge Street, the front trolley made the switch, but the trailer swung onto Broad Street, striking Patrolman Downey while he stood in the intersection. He passed away while en route to St. Michael's Hospital.

Patrolman Downey had served with the Newark Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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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 Downey gave the Newark Police Division 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Downey.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Newark, Essex County, NJ
Platform Identity npd.essex.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 4, 1922
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Newark Police Division has 58 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Thomas J. Downey

Newark Police Division · End of Watch January 4, 1922

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E

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