Thomas Cummins

New Haven Police Dept. — New Haven, CT

Felonious

End of Watch November 24, 1855

The Vigil Panel 2 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 22

Incident

Night Watchman Cummins was shot and killed when he responded to a family quarrel. While he and another watchman were at the scene a drunk family member attacked them. While struggling with the man a large group of other intoxicated men also attached them. Night Watchman Cummins and the other watchman both suffered head wounds were seriously cut. Both officers were able to get away and go back to the police station. After filing their report Night Watchman Cummins went to a local church, where he served as sexton, to start the fires for Sunday morning. When parishioners arrived in the morning they found his body inside. A man and a woman were charged with Watchman Cummins' murder. On April 23, 1856, both were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced two two years.

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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

171 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Cummins served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department New Haven Police Dept.

Location New Haven, CT

Platform Identity newhpd.southcentral.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 24, 1855

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object

Offender Sentenced to 2 years

Night Watchman Thomas Cummins 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Haven Police Dept., 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.

New Haven Police Dept.

of 23 officers

43.5% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious