Roll of Honor
James Corcoran
Incident
Constable James Corcoran succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was kicked by a prisoner near the intersection of Vine Street and 13th Street in Philadelphia.
He had been given a warrant for a man who had assaulted his wife. Constable Corcoran spotted the subject a few blocks from the magistrate’s office and arrested him. As they were walking back to the magistrate the man kicked Constable Corcoran in the abdomen twice and then fled the area. A citizen noticed he was in trouble and walked him back to the magistrate’s office. The citizen reported what happened and was then deputized to arrest the subject. Shortly after leaving to serve the warrant with Constable Corcoran, the subject was spotted by another citizen as he was walking past the magistrate’s office and was quickly placed into custody.
Constable Corcoran returned to his home where a doctor was summoned the following morning due to pain in his abdomen. A surgery was performed, and his health declined throughout the day. He died the following morning.
The subject was charged with murder but was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter on March 21st, 1851. A motion for a new trial was denied the following month by a local judge.
Constable Corcoran had previously served with the Philadelphia Police Department and resigned from the police force several days before the incident.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
176 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Corcoran served with the Pennsylvania State Constable.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James Corcoran is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Corcoran's cause is highlighted.
How James Corcoran Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Corcoran is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Corcoran was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Philadelphia County are honored on badge.nw.