Samuel Katz
Agency patch
Patrolman

Samuel Katz

Felonious
End of Watch April 6, 1953
Age 36
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 12308
The Vigil Panel 89 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Samuel Katz died of a gunshot wound he received two days earlier when he was shot while responding to reports of a prowler. Patrolman Katz and his partner responded to 220 West 146th Street, Manhattan. When they arrived, Patrolman Katz entered the front of the location, and the other Patrolman entered from the rear. While inside, Patrolman Katz confronted two suspects and was shot three times in the neck. Patrolman Katz was able to return fire but did not strike the fleeing suspects. An investigation later revealed that Patrolman Katz and his partner had interrupted the hold-up of a dice game. Patrolman Katz was taken to a local hospital where he died two days later from his wounds. Two suspects were later apprehended and charged in connection with Patrolman Katz's murder. They were both convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Katz served with the New York City Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the West 135th Street Station (32nd Precinct).

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-2E577EDA
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 Katz gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Katz.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 6, 1953
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 36
Badge Number 12308
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman Samuel Katz 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.

New York City Police Department
382
of 1,237 officers
30.9% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Katz's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Samuel Katz Compares

Age at End of Watch
36
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Katz is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Katz was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location