Robert J. Thorpe

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch August 13, 1900

The Vigil Panel 16 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Robert Thorpe was stabbed three times and severely beaten by an angry mob after he arrested a local prostitute for loitering. Friends of the suspect approached Patrolman Thorpe at the corner of West 41 Street and Eight Avenue. Patrolman Thorpe refused to let the woman go and attempted to place one of the men under arrest. A large crowd formed and Patrolman Thorpe was beaten severely and stabbed by one suspect. Responding Patrolman dispersed the crown, and with the help of some citizens was able to re-arrest the escaped prostitute.

The suspect that stabbed Patrolman Thorpe fled to Washington, DC, where he was arrested August 26, 1900. The suspect was returned to New York City and was sentenced to life in prison on November 2, 1900.

Patrolman Thorpe was assigned to the West 47th Street Station and was survived by his sister.

Survivors

Patrolman Thorpe was assigned to the West 47th Street Station and was survived by his sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-EA9FF329
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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 Thorpe 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 Thorpe.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

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

Service Record

End of Watch August 13, 1900

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon

Patrolman Robert J. Thorpe 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.

New York City Police Department

365

of 1,237 officers

29.5% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious