Patrolman

Henry Ergen

Cardiac
End of Watch August 4, 1953
Age 59
Tour of Duty 35 yrs
The Vigil Panel 89 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Ergen suffered a fatal heart attack after chasing a suspect four blocks. Patrolman Ergan spotted the suspect, who had stolen a suit from a dry cleaners truck, and gave chase. Patrolman Ergan apprehended the suspect after a four-block chase, but then collapsed and died as a result of a heart attack. Patrolman Ergen had served with the New York City Police Department for 35 years and was survived by his wife and son. He was assigned to the 79th Precinct.

Survivors

Patrolman Ergen had served with the New York City Police Department for 35 years and was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
NW-DKSX-FGAQ-B earlier record number BO-US-NY-CFC1F0F3
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Henry. 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

35 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Ergen gave the New York City Police Department 35 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, Patrolman Ergen.

— 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 August 4, 1953
Tour of Duty 35 yrs
Age 59
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

Henry is one of 1,304 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,543 remembered there.

33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1953, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Henry was 59. Of the 1,246 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Henry had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

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

When

August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Henry Ergen

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 4, 1953

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W

↑