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Patrolman

John Smedick

New York Metropolitan Police Force — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch July 23, 1868

Age 35

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 3 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 21

Incident

Patrolman John Smedick was shot and killed after being ambushed by a career criminal near the intersection of 1st Avenue and 32nd Street, Manhattan.

Patrolman Smedick was on foot patrol when he was approached by the suspect. Without warning, the suspect shot Patrolman Smedick in the chest. When Patrolman Smedick fell to the ground, the suspect fired again, striking Patrolman Smedick in the head.

A nearby patrolman heard the shots and responded. He chased the suspect on foot while exchanging shots. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He was executed by hanging in 1870.

Patrolman Smedick had served with New York Metropolitan Police Force for five years and had been assigned to the 21st Precinct.

A nearby patrolman heard the shots and responded. He chased the suspect on foot while exchanging shots. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He was executed by hanging in 1870.

Patrolman Smedick had served with New York Metropolitan Police Force for five years and had been assigned to the 21st Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-6CD4855F
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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Smedick gave the New York Metropolitan Police Force 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department New York Metropolitan Police Force

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nympd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 23, 1868

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Executed in 1870

Patrolman John Smedick 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%.

At New York Metropolitan Police Force, 18 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.

New York Metropolitan Police Force

of 22 officers

81.8% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious