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Patrolman

Edward Murtha

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch February 6, 1914

Age 30

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Badge 2477

The Vigil Panel 28 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Murtha died of a gunshot wound he received while investigating a suspicious person in front of 37 Fourth Street in Brooklyn. Patrolman Murtha had heard rumors earlier in the night that there may be trouble on his post. At Approximately 2020 hours he observed a suspicious male standing in front if 37 Fourth Street and he stopped to question the man. When Patrolman Murtha asked the suspect what he was doing, the suspect mumbled an inaudible response. Patrolman Murtha than asked the suspect if he had a gun. Before he could move, the suspect drew a revolver from his right pocket, placed it against Patrolman Murtha's chest and fired twice. The suspect then fled. One citizen who witnessed the shooting gave chase, shouting "Get him, he shot a cop." With that, several citizens gave chase and the suspect fled on foot for several blocks, running past a fireman. The fireman gave chase, but was shot and killed by the suspect. The suspect was finally captured by a patrolman and taken into custody after a fierce struggle in which the patrolman was injured. Patrolman Murtha was removed to Holy Family Hospital, where he died the next day from his wounds. The suspect was arrested and charge with murdering Patrolman Murtha and the fireman. He was convicted of manslaughter for killed Patrolman Murtha and of murder for killing the fireman. He was executed at Sing Sing Prison on February 4, 1916. Patrolman Murtha had been a member of the New York City Police Department for seven years. He was assigned to the 147th Precinct, the present day 76th Precinct.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Murtha gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murtha.

— 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 February 6, 1914

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Age 30

Badge Number 2477

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward 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 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Edward was 30. 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. Edward had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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