Thomas E. O'Connell

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch June 17, 1912

Badge 4159

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Thomas O'Connell died from injuries he received while attempting to rescue a suicidal man. At approximately 1400 hours on January 3, 1912 Patrolman O'Connell observed a man who had jumped into the river in a suicide attempt. Patrolman O’Connell jumped in to save the man, but the man did not want to be saved. The man fiercely fought off Patrolman O’Connell, pulling him under the water. When a rescue boat arrived, they were able to pull Patrolman O’Connell aboard, but the suicidal man never resurfaced from under the water. Patrolman O'Connell was removed to Flower Hospital where he died on June 17, 1912 from the injuries he received while attempting the rescue. Patrolman O'Connell was assigned to the 29th Precinct, the present day 17th Precinct.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-C6D2B804
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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Connell 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 O'Connell.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

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

Service Record

End of Watch June 17, 1912

Badge Number 4159

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Offender Not available

Patrolman Thomas E. O'Connell is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious