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Patrolman

Gustave August Boettger, Jr.

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Accident

End of Watch July 13, 1922

Age 39

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 43 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Gustave Boettger died of injuries he received when he was thrown from a horse.

Patrolman Boettger was on mounted patrol in Brooklyn when a horse pulling a wagon got out of control. The driver of the wagon jumped out, leaving another man in the wagon. Patrolman Boettger ranged alongside the runaway horse near Fulton Street. He continued next to the runaway horse and seized the animal by the bridle. An automobile drove directly into the path of the horse, causing Patrolman Boettger's horse to come to a stop. The runaway horse swerved, and Patrolman Boettger was pulled from his horse and dragged for half a block. The runaway horse swerved again, running into an automobile, and Patrolman Boettger was struck by the left forward spring of the automobile, causing a skull fracture. Several citizens helped Patrolman Boettger to his feet. Patrolman Boettger, dazed and bleeding, pulled away from them and again mounted his horse and started after the runaway. Another mounted patrolman joined in the chase and was able to capture the runaway horse. Patrolman Boettger kept up the pursuit until he saw the runaway horse captured. He then fell from his horse to the roadway.

Patrolman Boettger was taken to Swedish Hospital, where he partially recovered from his injuries. He died twelve years later as a result of his skull fracture.

Patrolman Boettger served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years and was assigned to Traffic Precinct D.

Several citizens helped Patrolman Boettger to his feet. Patrolman Boettger, dazed and bleeding, pulled away from them and again mounted his horse and started after the runaway. Another mounted patrolman joined in the chase and was able to capture the runaway horse. Patrolman Boettger kept up the pursuit until he saw the runaway horse captured. He then fell from his horse to the roadway.

Patrolman Boettger was taken to Swedish Hospital, where he partially recovered from his injuries. He died twelve years later as a result of his skull fracture.

came across your grave at greenwood cemetery today R I P.

PRAA ROBERT DOWLING NYPD October 1st, 2023

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-8147A12B
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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Boettger gave the New York City Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Boettger.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 13, 1922

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Cause Detail Animal related

Patrolman Gustave August Boettger, Jr. is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.

At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

283

of 1,237 officers

22.9% Accident

NY — Statewide

645

of 2,147 officers

30% Accident

Nationwide

10,088

of 32,508 officers

31% Accident