Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Masterson was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress. Patrolman Masterson had been meeting with an informant at a restaurant on West 103rd Street in Manhattan. As he was leaving, two suspects attempted to rob the restaurant. Patrolman Masterson went back inside and was shot. He was transported to Knickerbocker Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspects fled to upstate New York, where they engaged officers in a shootout on February 8, 1928. One of the suspects was shot and killed, and the second, who possessed Patrolman Masterson's revolver and shield, was arrested. That suspect was executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison on December 16, 1928. Patrolman Masterson had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to the Detective Division. His mother survived him. Patrolman Masterson was posthumously awarded the Department's Medal of Honor.
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BO-US-NY-A3A09182- Stewardship
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Masterson gave the New York City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Masterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James M. Masterson 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James M. Masterson's cause is highlighted.
How James M. Masterson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. Masterson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. Masterson was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
