Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Donovan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect.
The suspect attempted to flee but was shot and wounded by other officers and was taken into custody.
The man was sentenced to death and executed on September 29th, 1904.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-BD928904- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Donovan gave the Philadelphia Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Donovan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John J. Donovan 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 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 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Donovan's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Donovan Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1904
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Donovan is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Donovan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
