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James Maher
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

James Maher

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch July 27, 1919
Age 35
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 85 · Column 1 · Line 2 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

James Maher served ten years in the New York City Police Department and was a detective of the second grade at the West 68th Street station house, regarded as one of its most faithful men and in line for promotion to first grade.

Early on the morning of 27 July 1919, gunfire broke out at the San Remo Hotel on Central Park West at 74th Street. A night clerk named Justin Rogers, after months of dispute with the hotel, had shot and killed a porter, John McGoldrick. Detective Maher ran toward the shots and was shot in the head from behind. The hotel's owner believed the bullet had been meant for him, as Maher was shot outside his suite and bore a marked resemblance to him. Rogers later shot and killed himself and was found dead in the building some three hours afterward.

Detective Maher lived in Woodhaven with his wife, Mary. He was the son of Katherine and the late William Maher. After a wake at his home he was carried to St. Thomas' Church in Woodhaven for his funeral on 30 July 1919 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, mother, four brothers, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Maher gave the New York City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Maher.

— 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 27, 1919
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male
Assignment 20 Detective Squad

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 35. 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. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Sergeant James Maher

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 27, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W

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