Jan Brinkers

New York City Housing Authority Police Department — New York, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch May 4, 1981

Age 42

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

The Vigil Panel 124 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 18

Incident

Lieutenant Jan Brinkers was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three suspects robbing a tavern at 2639 Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. Lieutenant Brinkers, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, was inside a tavern on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx when three men entered the bar and announced a robbery. Lieutenant Brinkers drew his weapon and identified himself as a Police Officer. One of the suspects opened fire, striking him in the chest. Lieutenant Brinkers was able to fire six shots at the suspects as they fled. It was believed he hit one in the leg. Lieutenant Brinkers was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his wounds. Two suspects, 28 and 36, were apprehended 11 days later in the Bronx after police received a telephone tip from a woman. Another, 27, was apprehended two weeks later when he sought medical attention for a bullet in his leg at a hospital. He was determined to be the killer. All three were charged with murder. All three were refugees who came from Cuba during the "Mariel Boat Lift" from April 15, 1980, until October 31, 1980. The suspect, 36, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on February 28, 2018. The 28-year-old suspect, also sentenced to life, died in prison on July 9, 1985. Lieutenant Brinkers' killer was convicted of his murder and paroled on January 6, 2020. Lieutenant Brinkers was a United States Army Reserve veteran who had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for 15 years and was assigned to Police Service 8.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-06F86E55
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jan. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Jan is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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.
Lieutenant Brinkers gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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

Department New York City Housing Authority Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

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

Service Record

End of Watch May 4, 1981

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 42

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Jan Brinkers served in the U.S. Army (1960â1961) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Lieutenant Jan Brinkers 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 Housing Authority Police Department, 13 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.4% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Housing Authority Police Department

of 19 officers

68.4% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious