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James Groark
Incident
Officer Groark died from a heart attack while handling a motor vehicle incident on the Bronx River Parkway near River Road at 1 p.m. He had pulled over a vehicle with a bad muffler and was inspecting the car when he suffered a heart attack, fell, and hit his head. The driver of the vehicle got on Officer Groark's police radio and called for help. Officer Groark was transported to White Plains Hospital a few miles away where he was pronounced dead shortly after. Officer Groark, a WWII U.S. Army veteran, served with the Westchester Parkway Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpfgxm0ctbsfd54bz804- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Groark gave the Westchester County Parkway Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hawthorne community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Groark served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Westchester County Parkway Police Department has lost 12 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 102 officers lost to cardiac events in NY, 4.8% of the 2,132 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1966, 1 officer in NY was lost to cardiac events, the 32nd heaviest of 57 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 6.
In 1966, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1966, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 53. Of the 92 lost to cardiac events in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 51.5; the middle age was 45. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 53. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 53. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 9.8% of these deaths in NY; January holds the most, 13.7%. Mondays: 16.7%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 16.7% of all 12 deaths at Westchester County Parkway Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Westchester County Parkway Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Raymond Tehan
Oct 1, 1925
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John Patrick Murphy Nov 18, 1928
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George Segnit
Sep 21, 1929
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Clifton Travis Cypher
Jul 14, 1930
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Michael Erdley
Mar 30, 1933
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Manuel Borgos
Jun 23, 1938
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Reuben Conklin
Aug 8, 1943
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John Chabala, Jr.
Oct 3, 1948
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George Ruthven
Jul 5, 1954
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Francis Bradley
Aug 16, 1960
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James Groark
Aug 22, 1966
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John Gonda
Dec 20, 1969
Military Service
James Groark served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Groark’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Westchester County Parkway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
