Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Pettaway was shot and killed near the intersection of Chippewa Street and Washington Avenue by one of two notorious hoodlums he attempted to arrest for assaulting another man.
Both suspects were arrested in Boyce several days later and charged with murder. Both were acquitted because of a lack of evidence. One was shot and killed a year later.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-LA-C712E6B9- 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
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Pettaway served with the New Orleans Police Department.
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
Patrolman John Pettaway 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. John Pettaway's cause is highlighted.
How John Pettaway Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Pettaway is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Pettaway was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
