Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Delehanty was assaulted as he returned to the station house after working a plain cloths assignment. When Patrolman Delehanty and his partner reached the corner of East 34th Street and 2nd Avenue, in Manhattan, they came across a group of intoxicated males acting disorderly. Patrolman Delehanty ordered the loudest of the group to quiet down. The suspect refused and Patrolman Delehanty attempted to seize the suspect, who was an acrobat, but failed.
The suspect struck Patrolman Delehanty with both fists while at the same time tripping him to the ground. The suspect then struck Patrolman Delehanty with a sandbag, fracturing his skull. The suspect fled, but was apprehended by another Patrolman. Patrolman Delehanty died three days later from his injury.
This incident caused the Police Commissioner to restore long night sticks to the force.
Patrolman Delehanty was assigned t the 21st Precinct, the present day 13th Precinct.
Patrolman Delehanty was assaulted as he returned to the station house after working a plain cloths assignment. When Patrolman Delehanty and his partner reached the corner of East 34th Street and 2nd Avenue, in Manhattan, they came across a group of intoxicated males acting disorderly. Patrolman Delehanty ordered the loudest of the group to quiet down. The suspect refused and Patrolman Delehanty attempted to seize the suspect, who was an acrobat, but failed.
The suspect struck Patrolman Delehanty with both fists while at the same time tripping him to the ground. The suspect then struck Patrolman Delehanty with a sandbag, fracturing his skull. The suspect fled, but was apprehended by another Patrolman. Patrolman Delehanty died three days later from his injury.
Patrolman Delehanty was assigned t the 21st Precinct, the present day 13th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Delehanty served with the New York 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John T. Delehanty 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. John T. Delehanty's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Delehanty Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Delehanty is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Delehanty was killed by blunt object; sandbag.
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.
