Roll of Honor
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.
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-6CD4855F- 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
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Smedick 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Smedick's cause is highlighted.
How John Smedick Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Smedick is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Smedick was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from New York Metropolitan Police Force are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
