Philip J. Curtin
Agency patch
Detective First Grade

Philip J. Curtin

Accident
End of Watch October 2, 1960
Age 52
Tour of Duty 29 yrs
Badge 1607
Gender Male

Incident

Philip J. Curtin joined the New York City Police Department on 1 October 1931 and served as a detective with the 28th Squad, carrying shield 1607. In 1960 he was temporarily assigned to the Manhattan East detectives and posted outside the Polish Embassy at 12 East 66th Street. On 2 October 1960, while on that post, he fell backwards down the steps. He was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, one day after the 29th anniversary of his appointment.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and two grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

29 years. You could have gone home.
Detective First Grade Curtin gave the New York City Police Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective First Grade Curtin.

— 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 October 2, 1960
Tour of Duty 29 yrs
Age 52
Badge Number 1607
Gender Male
Assignment 28 Squad

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Philip is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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 1960, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Philip was 52. 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. Philip had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.

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, Philip among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective First Grade Philip J. Curtin

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 2, 1960

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W

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