Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Blank was shot and killed as he chased four noted gangsters who had just blown the safe at the Carpel Mayonnaise Plant in the 1400 block of North Central Avenue. On April 7, 1936, one was discovered in prison in Fairfax, Virginia, where he was serving a life sentence for the murder of a man in Washington D.C. Two more were apprehended six months later in Washington D.C. They were sentenced to life for several robberies, murders, and other crimes committed all over the northeast. The three accused the fourth gangster Anthony, "Tony the Stinger", Cugino of killing Officer Blank. Cugino was responsible for the murders of rival gansters, police officers, and women. To get his point across he buried a woman alive. In 1935 he was arrested in New York City. A few days later he hanged himself in his jail cell. Before his death he admitted to one murder; that of Police Officer Charles Stockberger of the Philadelphia Police Department on July 14,1934. He is also suspected of having killed Officer James Garvey of the New York City Police Department on April 21, 1933. He is also accused of smuggling a pistol to a death row inmate who killed Patrolman William A. Toot of the Richmond, Virginia, Police Department on September 30, 1934. At the time of his capture the FBI had listed him as public enemy #1. The other three suspects applied for paroles in the 1960s, but all three were denied. Officer Blank had served with Baltimore City Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MD-5AA69FF4- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Blank gave the Baltimore City Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Blank.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Blank 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baltimore Police Department, 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Blank's cause is highlighted.
How John Blank Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Blank is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Blank was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
150 officers from Baltimore Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
