Peter A. Mallon

New York City Department of Correction — East Elmhurst, NY

Felonious

End of Watch November 3, 1926

Age 56

The Vigil Panel 52 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Warden Mallon and Keeper Jeremiah Murphy were shot and killed when three prisoners tried to escape the Tombs Jail. Pistols had been smuggled into the jail for all three prisoners. The three men faked an illness and were brought to see the jail doctor. While they were in the doctor's office, they pulled their guns and attempted to escape. Warden Mallon heard the commotion from his office and came running to stop the escape. The suspect shot and killed him as he entered the doctor’s office.

The suspects then fled into the courtyard of the prison where they exchanged shots with Keeper Murphy and his partner. Keeper Murphy was killed and his partner was wounded. As the suspects continued their escape attempt, two were shot and wounded by responding New York City Patrolmen. With no escape possible, all three suspects committed suicide.

Two of the suspects were members of a New York City gang that had robbed merchants. On February 20, 1925, a third member of the gang had murdered Guard Robert Holtman of the Maryland State Division of Corrections, during a successful escape attempt from the state penitentiary in Baltimore, Maryland. The suspect was apprehended in New York, returned to Maryland, and executed on August 14, 1926.

Warden Peter A. Mallon, thank you for your sacrifice for the people of the City of New York

(Ret.) Sgt Thomas McCarthy NYPD November 3rd, 2025

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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.
Warden Mallon served with the New York City Department of Correction.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Warden Mallon.

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

Agency

Department New York City Department of Correction

Location East Elmhurst, NY

Platform Identity nydc.queens.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 3, 1926

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender Committed suicide

Warden Peter A. Mallon 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 Department of Correction, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Department of Correction

of 10 officers

90% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious