John J. Sheridan
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

John J. Sheridan

Felonious
End of Watch July 16, 1902
Age 47
Tour of Duty 25 yrs
The Vigil Panel 18 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Sergeant John Sheridan was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a gang of burglars working in the Long Island City area. Sergeant Sheridan was assigned to plain clothes in an attempt to capture the suspect.

Sergeant Sheridan and his partner spotted two suspicious men coming off Orchard Street and crossing over Henry Street. Sergeant Sheridan sent his partner to head off the suspects. While his partner was gone, Sergeant Sheridan had a confrontation with one of the suspects in which he was shot and killed. Sergeant Detective Sheridan was able to draw his service weapon, but it failed to fire when he pulled the trigger.

After a large manhunt three suspects were arrested and charged with murder, but all were acquitted at a trial.

Sergeant Sheridan served with the New York City Police Department for 25 years and was survived by his son and daughter. He was assigned to the 75th Precinct in Long Island City, which is the present day 108th Precinct.

Survivors

Sergeant Sheridan served with the New York City Police Department for 25 years and was survived by his son and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-DEC8C355
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

25 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Sheridan gave the New York City Police Department 25 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, Detective Sergeant Sheridan.

— 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 July 16, 1902
Tour of Duty 25 yrs
Age 47
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Detective Sergeant John J. Sheridan 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 J. Sheridan's cause is highlighted.

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

How John J. Sheridan Compares

Age at Death
47
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
25
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Sheridan is highlighted in Jul.

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 J. Sheridan was killed by handgun; revolver.

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

Incident Location