John Fitzpatrick
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

John Fitzpatrick

Felonious
End of Watch May 21, 1920
Age 34
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Badge 529
The Vigil Panel 39 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Sergeant John Fitzpatrick died of wounds he received the previous day when he was shot by three men who were breaking into an automobile. Sergeant Fitzpatrick had three suspects under surveillance for over an hour when he observed them attempted to steal an automobile on West 55th Street in Manhattan. When Sergeant Fitzpatrick approached the suspect, one of the men turned and fired two shots, striking Sergeant Fitzpatrick. Despite his wounds, Sergeant Fitzpatrick was able to return fire, but none of the suspects were struck. Sergeant Fitzpatrick was removed to the hospital, where he died the next day from his wounds. The three suspects and two others were arrested and charged in connection with Sergeant Fitzpatrick's murder. Sergeant Fitzpatrick served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was survived by his sister. He was assigned to the 29th Precinct Detective Squad, the present day 17th Precinct Detective Squad.

Survivors

Sergeant Fitzpatrick served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was survived by his sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-5455F92F
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 John. Claim this record.

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Fitzpatrick gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Fitzpatrick.

— 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 May 21, 1920
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Age 34
Badge Number 529
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Detective Sergeant John Fitzpatrick 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 Fitzpatrick's cause is highlighted.

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

How John Fitzpatrick Compares

Age at Death
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
13
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Fitzpatrick is highlighted in May.

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 Fitzpatrick was killed by gun.

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

Incident Location