Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police David Hennessy was assassinated by members of the New Orleans mob near the intersection of Girod Street (present-day Loyola Avenue) and Basin Street. He was walking home from the police department when he was ambushed and killed. It is believed he was killed to prevent testimony in a trial later in the week. A total of nine men were charged with his murder. Six of the men were acquitted and three others were cleared in mistrials. All nine suspects and two other men were lynched by angry citizens after the trials. Chief Hennessy had served with the New Orleans Police Department for 20 years. He had originally been hired as a messenger boy and worked his way up to chief of police. He was survived by his mother. He is buried in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-42D83619- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Hennessy gave the New Orleans Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police David C. Hennessy 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David C. Hennessy's cause is highlighted.
How David C. Hennessy Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by citizens
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David C. Hennessy is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David C. Hennessy was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
