John T. Van Buren
Agency patch
Patrolman

John T. Van Buren

Felonious
End of Watch November 7, 1863
The Vigil Panel 2 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Van Buren was violently beaten by a group of men protesting the Civil War Draft while performing riot duty at 3rd Avenue and 46th Street in Manhattan. He died four months later from his injuries. Patrolman Van Buren was assigned to the 8th precinct, the present-day 17th Precinct.

A total of four officers were killed in riots against President Abraham Lincoln's Civil War Draft.

Patrolman John Van Buren was violently beaten by a group of men protesting the Civil War Draft while performing riot duty at 3rd Avenue and 46th Street in Manhattan. He died four months later from his injuries.

Patrolman Van Buren was assigned to the 8th precinct, the present-day 17th Precinct.

Looking to Honor all the LOD Officers, Trying to Locate this Officers Grave. Any help to Identify and Locate this Heros Grave in Calvary Cemetery would be Very Much Appreciated.

Retired Lt Bill Markowski

Lt William Markowski NYPD July 8th, 2025

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-6BA725F1
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

163 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Van Buren served with the New York Metropolitan Police Force.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch November 7, 1863
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Person

Patrolman John T. Van Buren 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 Metropolitan Police Force, 18 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.

New York Metropolitan Police Force
18
of 22 officers
81.8% 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. John T. Van Buren'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 John T. Van Buren Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Van Buren is highlighted in Nov.

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. John T. Van Buren was killed by person.

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

Incident Location