James J. McGillion
Agency patch
Patrolman

James J. McGillion

Felonious
End of Watch August 12, 1952
Age 35
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 2704
The Vigil Panel 88 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James McGillion was shot when he attempted to break up an argument between two men at 125th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Harlem, while he was walking home. At approximately 4:00 am, Patrolman McGillion was walking home from work when he encountered two arguing men. Patrolman McGillion tried to stop the argument, at which point one of the men drew a pistol. Patrolman McGillion drew his service weapon but was shot before he could fire. He chased the suspect for about 50 feet before collapsing. The suspect then returned, stole Patrolman McGillion's service weapon, and fled. Officer McGillion was taken to Knickerbocker Hospital, where he was able to describe the suspects before he was taken in for a 4-hour operation to remove the bullet from near his heart. He did not survive. The suspect was arrested the following day after he shot his girlfriend. Patrolman McGillion had served with the New York City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 34th Precinct but was temporarily detailed to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office when he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department Medal of Honor for his actions.

Survivors

Patrolman McGillion was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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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 McGillion gave the New York City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McGillion.

— 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 12, 1952
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 35
Badge Number 2704
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.

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 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 35. 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 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

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman James J. McGillion

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 12, 1952

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W

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