Roll of Honor
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.
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BO-US-NJ-55CA9153- Stewardship
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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
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Thomas Lyons 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Lyons's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Lyons Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Lyons is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Lyons was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
57 officers from Newark Police Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
