Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John McDermott died of rabies he contracted when he was bitten by an injured dog he was trying to help.
Patrolman McDermott was on his post when a dog, dragging an injured leg, approached. The temperature that night was six degrees above zero, and the dog whined from cold and hunger. Patrolman McDermott opened the door of his police booth, and the dog entered. Patrolman McDermott began to pet the dog on his head when the dog suddenly snapped at him. The dog's teeth cut through the cloth of his uniform and left a small scratch on his arm.
Two months later, Patrolman McDermott began to feel pain and develop symptoms of rabies. He was taken to Kings County Hospital where he died.
Patrolman McDermott was assigned the 44th Precinct, which is the present day 75th Precinct.
Patrolman McDermott was on his post when a dog, dragging an injured leg, approached. The temperature that night was six degrees above zero, and the dog whined from cold and hunger. Patrolman McDermott opened the door of his police booth, and the dog entered. Patrolman McDermott began to pet the dog on his head when the dog suddenly snapped at him. The dog's teeth cut through the cloth of his uniform and left a small scratch on his arm.
Two months later, Patrolman McDermott began to feel pain and develop symptoms of rabies. He was taken to Kings County Hospital where he died.
Rest in heavenly peace
Mark Mottola March 22nd, 2020
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- 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 McDermott served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McDermott.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John McDermott is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 629 of 2,147 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 29.3% of this state's fallen. That is 20.2 percentage points above the national rate of 9.1%.
At New York City Police Department, 521 of 1237 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 42.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John McDermott's cause is highlighted.
How John McDermott Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. John McDermott is highlighted in Mar.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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