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Robert J. Fitzgerald
Agency patch
Patrolman

Robert J. Fitzgerald

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch January 11, 1908
Badge 1754
The Vigil Panel 22 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Robert Fitzgerald was struck and killed by a trolly car in the Brooklyn Bridge. Patrolman Fitzgerald was on the Brooklyn Bridge when he was informed by a passerby that a man was running back and forth on the tracks, and that the man was attempting to commit suicide. Patrolman Fitzgerald spotted the suspect some distance from him near the Manhattan Anchorage tower. The man was climbing down one of the ladders that lead from the walkway to the tracks that were used by the elevated trains. Patrolman Fitzgerald followed the man. The man reached the elevated tracks and darted out on to the roadway alongside the tracks, squeezing through the ironwork that separated the area from the trolley tracks and the bridge roadway. Patrolman Fitzgerald saw the man start toward the guard rail at the side of the roadway, and he sprang down the ladder and tried to squeeze through the ironwork on the road. Patrolman Fitzgerald never saw the approaching trolley car, and the motorman did not see the Patrolman until it was too late to do anything. The front of the trolley car hit Patrolman Fitzgerald, forcing him back. He dropped through the trestle and down into the East River below. Responding officers were able to subdue the suicidal man and take him into custody. The Harbor Patrol immediately started a search for Patrolman Fitzgerald but was unsuccessful. His body was recovered on March 18, 1908. Patrolman Fitzgerald was assigned to the Bridge Precinct.

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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 Fitzgerald 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 Fitzgerald.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch January 11, 1908
Badge Number 1754
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1908, 36 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 111th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

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

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

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

Across the years
V

Where

Patrolman Robert J. Fitzgerald

New York City Police Department · End of Watch January 11, 1908

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W

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