Patrolman

Richard J. Coughlin

Accident
End of Watch February 24, 1930
Age 26
Badge 1649
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Coughlin was killed in a motorcycle accident while pursuing a speeding motorist. Patrolman Coughlin was on patrol when he observed a vehicle speeding south on Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop. As he was pursuing the vehicle, Patrolman Coughlin’s motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Newkirk Avenue. Patrolman Coughlin was taken to Kings County Hospital with a fractured skull. He died two days later from his injuries. Patrolman Coughlin was assigned to the Motorcycle Precinct 2, the present day Highway 2.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Coughlin 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, Patrolman Coughlin.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 24, 1930
Age 26
Badge Number 1649
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Richard was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Richard among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Richard J. Coughlin

New York City Police Department · End of Watch February 24, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E

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