John E. Egan
Agency patch
Patrolman

John E. Egan

Felonious
End of Watch September 1, 1923
Age 24
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 10550
The Vigil Panel 45 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Egan was shot and killed as he attempted to break up a disturbance at a party. Patrolman Egan was on duty and assigned to plainclothes duty to keep watch on several locations that the police had received complaints about. During the night, Patrolman Egan attempted to eject a disorderly man from one of the locations. A third man interfered and was able to gain control of Patrolman Egan's service weapon. The man fired four shots during a struggle over the gun, and Patrolman Egan was fatally wounded. The suspect was arrested and later convicted of Second Degree Murder. He was sentenced to twenty-five years to life in prison. Patrolman Egan was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman Egan had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was assigned to the 51st Precinct, the present-day 43rd Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and twin sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-355EB517
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.
Patrolman Egan gave the New York City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Egan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 1, 1923
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 24
Badge Number 10550
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Patrolman John E. Egan 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
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. Egan's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How John E. Egan Compares

Age at Death
24
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Egan is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Egan was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location