Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Skagen was accidentally shot and killed by a New York City police officer in a case of mistaken identity while chasing a shooting suspect. He was in plainclothes returning from a court appearance when he witnessed a disturbance and shooting in the Hunts Point Avenue Station. He began chasing the suspect with his gun drawn. As they exited the station, the suspect yelled to two NYPD officers that a crazy man with a gun was chasing him. One of the officers opened fire on Officer Skagen, fatally wounding him. The suspect was apprehended and charged with the first homicide but was not charged in connection with Officer's Skagen's death. Officer Skagen had served with the New York City Transit Police Department for two years and was assigned to Transit District 2. His wife and son survived him.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-39FFFAD1- 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.
Police Officer Skagen gave the New York City Transit Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Skagen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Skagen is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Transit Police Department, 2 of 14 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 14.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Skagen's cause is highlighted.
How John Skagen Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John Skagen is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York City Transit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
