Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Scala was shot and killed in a gun battle with two men at the intersection of 113th Street, near Morningside Drive, outside of the main entrance to St. Luke's Hospital. Officer Scala was escorting a hospital attendant with a bank deposit when the two men attempted to rob them. Officer Scala, shot through the heart, managed to return fire, wounding both suspects. One was arrested at the scene. The other suspect was arrested at another hospital when he went there to be treated for gunshot wounds. Both suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. One was paroled May 14th, 1997, and then deported. Officer Scala had served with the New York City Police Department for over 20 years and was assigned to the applicant Processing Division.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-E1F0D61E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Scala gave the New York City Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Scala.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John P. Scala 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 97,756 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 P. Scala's cause is highlighted.
How John P. Scala Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John P. Scala is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John P. Scala was killed by gun.
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.
