Roll of Honor
Thomas Jefferson Gargan
Incident
Patrolman Gargan was shot and killed after responding to a burglary in progress call. Patrolman Gargan and his partner were on patrol in a radio car when they received a call that there was a burglary in progress in an apartment at 132 Bank Street, Manhattan. The patrolmen responded and found that the door to the apartment was open. When Patrolman Gargan entered the apartment, he was shot and killed by the suspect. The suspect was armed with a flare gun that had been modified to fire one 12-gauge shotgun shell. Patrolman Gargan's partner shot and wounded the suspect. He was then arrested and charged with murder. The suspect was executed on January 6, 1949, after being convicted of murder. Patrolman Gargan was a highly decorated officer who had received the Combat Medal two years prior after being involved in a shootout in Greenwich Village. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions in this incident. Patrolman Gargan was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the New York City Police Department for 20 years. He was assigned to the 6th precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-D8AB767F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Gargan gave the New York City Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Jefferson Gargan served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Thomas Jefferson Gargan 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 97,756 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. Thomas Jefferson Gargan's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Jefferson Gargan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Jefferson Gargan is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Jefferson Gargan was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Thomas Jefferson Gargan served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Jefferson Gargan’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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