Thomas Lyons
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas Lyons

Newark Police Division — Newark, NJ
Felonious
End of Watch April 14, 1885
The Vigil Panel 8 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman lyons died of injuries he received when he was stabbed in the abdomen. Patrolman Lyons was standing on his post talking to a woman when he observed a man across the street strike a woman in the face. Patrolman Lyons crossed the street, knocked the man to the ground, and returned to the woman he was talking with. He had re-engaged her in conversation, when the man whom he had struck crept stealthily up behind him in the shadow of a fence. His companion, noticing that the man was holding a knife in his hand cautioned Patrolman Lyons and Patrolman Lyons had just turned his face to the suspect, when the man sprang upon him and stabbed him in the stomach. Patrolman Lyons was removed to St. Michaels Hospital where he remained until he died from his wounds. The 19-year-old suspect was later captured in Watertown , New York. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-55CA9153
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 Thomas. 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

141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Lyons served with the Newark Police Division.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Newark, NJ
Platform Identity npdpd.essex.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 14, 1885
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon

Patrolman Thomas Lyons 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 NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Newark Police Division, 28 of 58 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.

Newark Police Division
28
of 58 officers
48.3% Felonious
NJ — Statewide
229
of 646 officers
35.4% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Lyons's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Thomas Lyons Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Lyons is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Lyons was killed by edged weapon.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909