George M. Sechler

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch April 14, 1907

Age 30

Badge 2075

The Vigil Panel 21 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Sechler and Patrolman Alfred Selleck were shot and killed by two brothers who had just shot and killed a man after an altercation in Washington Square Park. After shooting the man in the park, the brothers fled on foot with a Sergeant and Patrolman in pursuit. Patrolman Sechler and Selleck were on duty several blocks away when they heard the shots and saw the suspects running towards them. Both Patrolman Sechler and Selleck chased the suspects into a tenement house at 230-232 Thompson Street. The brothers fled up the stairs but were trapped at the top when they came to a locked door. As Patrolman Sechler and Selleck approached the brothers turned and opened fire. Patrolman Selleck was struck two times and fell down the stairs to the stoop. As the suspect was about the fire, a third-time Patrolman Sechler threw his body across his partner to shield him but was himself hit in the stomach. Before he collapsed, he was able to strike the suspect several times about the head and body with his Billy club, knocking the suspect nearly unconscious. As Patrolman Sechler fell to the stoop, the Sergeant who had been in pursuit of the suspects was able to take the suspect into custody. Both Patrolman were removed to Saint Vincent’s hospital. Patrolman Sechler died a few hours later, and Patrolman Selleck died two days later. Both officers had been assigned to the 16th Precinct, which is now the 6th Precinct. The suspect was convicted of both murders and executed at Sing Sing Prison on February 1, 1909.

Survivors

Patrolman Sechler was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-C68C660F
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 Sechler 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 Sechler.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 14, 1907

Age 30

Badge Number 2075

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in 1909

Patrolman George M. Sechler 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