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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Walker was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a woman's cry for help at 95 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. A group of men had just raped the woman. Patrolman Walker and his partner approached the locked door and Patrolman Walker called out to the suspects "We are Officers, you villains! What are you doing to this woman?" Patrolman Walker's partner then attempted to pull the door open, but at the same time some of the suspects pushed the door open and ran. One suspect, still inside the building fired out the open door, killing Patrolman Walker. The suspect then fled on foot with Patrolman Walker's partner in pursuit. Patrolman Walker's partner fired three times at the fleeing suspects before his revolver jammed. While on Sixteenth Street, about 150 feet east of Seventh Avenue, the suspect threw down his hat and coat and hid behind a tree-box. The suspect was arrested by Patrolman Walker's partner, and a coroner's inquest found that the apprehended suspect was responsible for firing the fatal shot at Patrolman Walker. The other eight suspects escaped but were arrested as accomplices to Patrolman Walker's murder. The shooter was found guilty of manslaughter in the Court of General Sessions on December 18th, 1865.
Survivors
Patrolman Walker was assigned to the 29th Precinct and was survived by his wife and young daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
161 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Walker served with the New York Metropolitan Police Force.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York Metropolitan Police Force has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 738 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,126 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1865, 1 officer at New York Metropolitan Police Force was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1864, with 5.
In 1865, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1865, 15 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 165th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1865, 16 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 168th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 38. Of the 11 killed feloniously at New York Metropolitan Police Force whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 38. Of the 667 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 38. 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.
Thomas was 38. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 22.2% of these deaths at New York Metropolitan Police Force; July holds the most, 22.2%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at New York Metropolitan Police Force, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,126 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
New York Metropolitan Police Force has 22 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Thomas Sparks Jul 9, 1857
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Eugene Anderson Jul 20, 1857
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Horatio Sanger Nov 22, 1857
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John Steward Dec 20, 1859
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David Martin Aug 6, 1861
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Henry L. Williams Oct 14, 1862
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Edward Dippel
Jul 19, 1863
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Peter McIntyre Aug 9, 1863
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John T. Van Buren Nov 7, 1863
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John Starkey Jan 20, 1864
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Austin H. Easterbrook Feb 6, 1864
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George W. Duryea
May 16, 1864
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John J. O'Brien Aug 25, 1864
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Charles Curran Oct 6, 1864
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Joseph Nulett Nov 7, 1864
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Thomas Walker Aug 15, 1865
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Robert S. McChesney Oct 19, 1867
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Charles Thompson Dec 1, 1867
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Henry Corbett Jul 13, 1868
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John Smedick Jul 23, 1868
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John A. Branagan Aug 10, 1869
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Phillip Lambreck Mar 14, 1872
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
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