Roll of Honor
Incident
Warden Mallon and Keeper Jeremiah Murphy were shot and killed when three prisoners tried to escape the Tombs Jail. Pistols had been smuggled into the jail for all three prisoners. The three men faked an illness and were brought to see the jail doctor. While they were in the doctor's office, they pulled their guns and attempted to escape. Warden Mallon heard the commotion from his office and came running to stop the escape. The suspect shot and killed him as he entered the doctor’s office.
The suspects then fled into the courtyard of the prison where they exchanged shots with Keeper Murphy and his partner. Keeper Murphy was killed and his partner was wounded. As the suspects continued their escape attempt, two were shot and wounded by responding New York City Patrolmen. With no escape possible, all three suspects committed suicide.
Two of the suspects were members of a New York City gang that had robbed merchants. On February 20, 1925, a third member of the gang had murdered Guard Robert Holtman of the Maryland State Division of Corrections, during a successful escape attempt from the state penitentiary in Baltimore, Maryland. The suspect was apprehended in New York, returned to Maryland, and executed on August 14, 1926.
Warden Peter A. Mallon, thank you for your sacrifice for the people of the City of New York
(Ret.) Sgt Thomas McCarthy NYPD November 3rd, 2025
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Warden Mallon served with the New York City Department of Correction.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Warden Mallon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Warden Peter A. Mallon 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 Department of Correction, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Peter A. Mallon's cause is highlighted.
How Peter A. Mallon Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter A. Mallon is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter A. Mallon was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New York City Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
