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John J. Moriarty
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

John J. Moriarty

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch July 2, 1922
Age 31
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 233
The Vigil Panel 43 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Detective Moriarty died of an accidental gunshot fired by another detective when he and several other detectives confronted several burglary suspects inside 306 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at 5 p.m. Detective Moriarty was assigned to the loft building squad and had been following two suspects for several weeks when they were observed entering the building and stealing silks valued at $100,000. Upon being discovered by police, one of the suspects fled by way of the roof, and Detective Moriarty gave chase. The two exchanged gunfire, and Detective Moriarty was struck in the neck with one shot by a fellow detective who was also exchanging gunfire with the suspect. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds eight days later. Both suspects were apprehended. Detective Moriarty had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to the 23rd Detective Division.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children, two of whom became New York City Police officers after serving in World War II.

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.
Detective Sergeant Moriarty gave the New York City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Moriarty.

— 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 July 2, 1922
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 31
Badge Number 233
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

John 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 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Sergeant John J. Moriarty

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 2, 1922

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E

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