Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Fuchs was shot and killed while attempting to settle a dispute between a homeowner and firefighters.
The firemen were playing a Fourth of July baseball game and had repeatedly hit the ball into the flower garden of a private home. When the homeowner threatened the firemen with a shotgun, Patrolman Fuchs was sent to the scene. When Patrolman Fuchs attempted to remove the shotgun and make an arrest, he was shot in the chest.
The suspect surrendered to another officer soon after. He was charged with murder, but acquitted in December 1866.
Patrolman Fuchs, who served one year, was a member of the Town of Morrisania Police Department, which merged with the New York City Police Department in 1874. The 42nd Precinct now covers the area where Patrolman Fuchs was killed.
He also served three years in the New York Heavy Artillery (1862-1865).
Patrolman Fuchs was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Patrolman Fuchs was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-386DE95B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Patrolman Fuchs gave the Morrisania Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bronx community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Fuchs served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John Fuchs is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Fuchs's cause is highlighted.
How John Fuchs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Fuchs is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.