Joseph H. McNierney
Agency patch
Sergeant

Joseph H. McNierney

Felonious
End of Watch October 3, 1913
Age 45
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Badge 32
The Vigil Panel 28 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Joseph McNierney died of injuries he received when he was stabbed while taking police action while off-duty. He and another off-duty patrolman were riding on the Second Avenue "L" train when they observed two men harassing two young women on the train. Sergeant McNierney asked the women if they would like to move over to his seat so they could get away from the men. The two women moved seats. When they all exited the train at the next stop, one of the two men confronted Sergeant McNierney and told him "I'll smash your face in." When Sergeant McNierney approached the suspect, the man drew a knife and stabbed him in the stomach four times. Sergeant McNierney called out to the other off-duty officer, who confronted the suspect. The off-duty officer was slashed several times before he was able to tackle the suspect. The officer then handed his whistle to a civilian who blew it, summoning the help of other officers, who took the man into custody. Sergeant McNierney was transported to Bellevue Hospital where he died from his wounds five days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree manslaughter. Sergeant McNierney had been a member of the New York City Police Department for 18 years and was survived by his wife and three children. He was assigned to the 29th Precinct.

Survivors

Sergeant McNierney had been a member of the New York City Police Department for 18 years and was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Sergeant McNierney gave the New York City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant McNierney.

— 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 October 3, 1913
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 45
Badge Number 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Joseph 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 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 45. 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. Joseph had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Sergeant Joseph H. McNierney

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 3, 1913

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E

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