Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective James Daggett was killed when he and three other detectives interrupted four men who were in the middle of setting a fire. Detective Daggett and the other detectives observed the four men enter a building at 9 West 18th Street in Manhattan, carrying some cartons in. The men exited the building carrying empty containers. Two of the men left in their car, and two others re-entered the building. Two detectives stopped the two suspects in the car and questioned them. The suspects confessed that they planned to burn the building down. Detective Daggett and another detective entered the building to apprehend the two suspects inside when a massive explosion occurred, killing Detective Daggett and one suspect. The other detective and the other suspect were critically injured. The second suspect died later at a local hospital. The two remaining suspects were later indicted for murder in the first degree. Of the two remaining suspects one was the owner of the building, a clothing store. Because business was bad he had hired the other three to burn the building so he could collect the insurance. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1955 his sentence was commuted to life. He was pardoned by Governor Nelson D. Rockefellow on December 23, 1971. The last suspect, who was hired to carry the explosives inside the building, was acquitted because he was mentally handicapped and may not have understood what he was doing. Detective Howard Phelan, the other detective who was critically injured, never fully recovered and was forced to retire. Detective Daggett was assigned to the Safe Loft and Truck Squad.
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- 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.
Detective Daggett 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, Detective Daggett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James L. Daggett is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 30 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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 L. Daggett's cause is highlighted.
How James L. Daggett Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James L. Daggett is highlighted in Sep.
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.
