James Brennan

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch October 28, 1888

Age 45

The Vigil Panel 9 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Brennan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an ex-convict for assault at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 33rd Street. As Patrolman Brennan tried to arrest the suspect, the suspect drew a revolver from his person and shot Patrolman Brennan four times in the head, killing him. The shooting attracted the attention of two other Patrolmen who were walking their beats. They confronted the suspect as he attempted to escape. The suspect tried to shot the patrolmen, but one patrolman struck the suspect in the head with his club, knocking the suspect unconscious. The suspect was convicted of murdering Patrolman Brennan and executed on December 5, 1889. Patrolman Brennan assigned to the 21st Precinct.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Brennan served with the New York Municipal Police Department.
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

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 October 28, 1888

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Patrolman James Brennan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

365

of 1,237 officers

29.5% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious