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Patrolman

James J. Flanagan

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 12, 1931

Age 29

Tour of Duty 1 yrs 3 mo

Badge 1312

The Vigil Panel 61 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman James Flanagan was shot and killed as he attempted to question two suspicious men. Patrolman Flanagan was off duty and in civilian clothes when he observed two suspicious men at the corner of Park Avenue and 128th Street in Manhattan at approximately 2:00 am. Patrolman Flanagan approached them and attempted to question them, but one suspect drew a pistol and opened fire, striking him. Patrolman Flanagan was able to draw his revolver and fire six shots, hitting one suspect twice and one suspect once. Two patrolmen who were attracted by the sounds of the gunfire arrived on scene. The suspects, 25 and 37, both shot in the abdomen dragged themselves to a nearby hiding spot where they were apprehended an hour later and transported to a hospital. Patrolman Flanagan was removed to the hospital and died later that day from his injuries. The suspect, 37, died a week later. The other suspect had recently escaped from the New Jersey Penitentiary. He was sentenced to seven years the previous December for grand larceny and assault. He was convicted of Patrolman Flanagan's murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1951. On May 13, 1952, he was charged with attempted armed robbery when he tried to rob a gas station in the Bronx with a toy gun. The attendant realized it was a toy and slapped it out of his hand. He fled but was quickly apprehended. He was convicted of attempted armed robbery and sentenced to prison as a habitual offender to 25 years to life. Patrolman Flanagan was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor. Patrolman Flanagan had served with the New York City Police Department for 15 months and was assigned to the 25th Precinct.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

You barely got started.
Patrolman Flanagan gave the New York City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Flanagan.

— 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 March 12, 1931

Tour of Duty 1 yrs 3 mo

Age 29

Badge Number 1312

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

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

Compare against

Time

In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

James was 29. 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. James had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded