Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Coughlin was killed in a motorcycle accident while pursuing a speeding motorist. Patrolman Coughlin was on patrol when he observed a vehicle speeding south on Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop. As he was pursuing the vehicle, Patrolman Coughlin’s motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Newkirk Avenue. Patrolman Coughlin was taken to Kings County Hospital with a fractured skull. He died two days later from his injuries. Patrolman Coughlin was assigned to the Motorcycle Precinct 2, the present day Highway 2.
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BO-US-NY-5736853B- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Coughlin served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Coughlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Richard J. Coughlin is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 30 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard J. Coughlin's cause is highlighted.
How Richard J. Coughlin Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Richard J. Coughlin is highlighted in Feb.
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.
