Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Oliver Stewart succumbed to injuries he received on August 19, 1883, when he attempted to stop a gang of men robbing and beating up another man and his family on the Woodhaven and Rockaway Beach Train around 7 p.m.
Four men and a woman followed a man onto the train and robbed him of his cash. They proceeded to beat him and his family while other passengers fled the train car. Patrolman Stewart came to the man's defense, thinking it was the result of an argument. The men attacked him, striking him with brass knuckles and kicking him until other train passengers pulled the men off Patrolman Stewart. When one of the suspects exited the train at Hunter's Point, Patrolman Stewart followed the man until he exited the 34th Street ferry. The suspect resisted arrest and struck Patrolman Stweart multiple times again. However, Patrolman Stewart was able to take the suspect to the 22nd Street Police Station, where the man was taken into custody.
The suspect was sentenced to 12 years in prison for assault and robbery.
Patrolman Stewart initially went back to work and received a reward for his heroic actions on August 19, 1883. He slowly lost the use of his arm, became paralyzed, and lost consciousness until passing away on February 2, 1884.
Patrolman Stewart had served with the New York Municipal Police Department for at least five years, assigned to the Eighteenth Precinct, which is the present-day 13th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and two children. His grandson served with the New York City Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-D3E5BD7F- 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 Oliver. 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
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Stewart gave the New York Municipal Police Department 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 Oliver Vance Stewart 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oliver Vance Stewart's cause is highlighted.
How Oliver Vance Stewart Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oliver Vance Stewart is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oliver Vance Stewart was killed by blunt object.
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.
