John E. Egan
Agency patch
Patrolman

John E. Egan

Felonious
End of Watch September 1, 1923
Age 24
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 10550
The Vigil Panel 45 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Egan was shot and killed as he attempted to break up a disturbance at a party. Patrolman Egan was on duty and assigned to plainclothes duty to keep watch on several locations that the police had received complaints about. During the night, Patrolman Egan attempted to eject a disorderly man from one of the locations. A third man interfered and was able to gain control of Patrolman Egan's service weapon. The man fired four shots during a struggle over the gun, and Patrolman Egan was fatally wounded. The suspect was arrested and later convicted of Second Degree Murder. He was sentenced to twenty-five years to life in prison. Patrolman Egan was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman Egan had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was assigned to the 51st Precinct, the present-day 43rd Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and twin sons.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Egan gave the New York City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Egan.

— 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 September 1, 1923
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 24
Badge Number 10550
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 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 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 24. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman John E. Egan

New York City Police Department · End of Watch September 1, 1923

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E

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