Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Rowley and Police Officer Charles Trojahn were killed when their helicopter was involved in a mid-air collision over Brooklyn during a traffic patrol. Officer Rowley and Officer Trojahn were traveling over Brooklyn when a seaplane struck the rear rotor of the helicopter, causing it to crash into the East River. Both officers and two of the four passengers on the seaplane were killed. Officer Rowley had served with the New York City Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-EC58C082- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Rowley gave the New York City Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rowley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Rowley is one of 10,095 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,587 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 Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Rowley's cause is highlighted.
How James Rowley Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James Rowley is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
