Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Howard Peterson suffered a brain aneurysm during a heated argument with several men. Patrolman Peterson was off-duty and with his two brother-in-laws when he observed a taxi cab being operated in a reckless manner and speeding on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. Patrolman Peterson motioned the driver to pull over, but the vehicle fled with Patrolman Peterson in pursuit. His brother-in-law was driving. The vehicle eventually stopped near the corner of West 21st Street and Mermaid Avenue in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. The cab driver exited the vehicle and fled into a restaurant at the location. He exited several minutes later with a gang of 12 men, some whom Patrolman Peterson had arrested earlier for illegal gambling. A heated argument developed and some of the gang forced his two brother-in-laws back to their car. The next thing they noticed, as well as several witnesses, was Patrolman Peterson lying on the ground and the men running from the location. Patrolman Peterson was found to be unresponsive and transported to the Coney Island hospital where he never regained consciousness and died an hour later. Everyone including the police thought Patrolman Peterson had been beaten and thrown to the ground, and that is the way it was reported in local newspapers. His autopsy revealed there were no injuries and he had suffered a brain aneurysm and possibly fell to the ground. Several witnesses were interviewed and none could say with confidence that any of the suspects put their hands on him or kicked him. Patrolman Peterson had served with the New York City Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to the 66th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-D34C5733- 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 Peterson gave the New York City Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Peterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Howard L. Peterson 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Howard L. Peterson's cause is highlighted.
How Howard L. Peterson Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Howard L. Peterson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Howard L. Peterson was killed by person.
Incident Location
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