Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Jockel was shot and killed while off-duty when he attempted to arrest four robbery suspects at Grand Street in Maspeth. Patrolman Jockel was in uniform on his way to report to duty, waiting for a trolly in Maspeth, Queens, when he observed a speeding taxicab that failed to stop at a signal. Patrolman Jockel commandeered a vehicle and pursued the suspects, who had just robbed a store, and forced their vehicle off the road. When the vehicle came to a stop, the suspects exited, and one suspect shot Patrolman Jockel three times in the head. Patrolman Jockel stumbled toward a police call box but collapsed before reaching it. He died at the scene. Patrolman Jockel's mother, who was attending a Christmas party across the street from where the shooting occurred, was the first person to find Patrolman Jockel after he was shot. Within the following year, multiple arrests were made for the string of holdups that had occurred throughout the city. Leaders of these robbery gangs were convicted and sent to prison for 5- 20 years. One suspect was murdered in 1932 by a presumed rival gang. Nobody was ever tried for Patrolman Jockel's murder. Patrolman Jockel had served with the New York City Police Department for six years and was assigned to Motorcycle Squad 1. He is survived by his wife and four children. Patrolman Jockel was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-08039D91- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Jockel gave the New York City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Jockel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph T. Jockel 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph T. Jockel's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph T. Jockel Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph T. Jockel is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph T. Jockel was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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