Thomas E. O'Connell
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas E. O'Connell

Felonious
End of Watch June 17, 1912
Badge 4159
The Vigil Panel 26 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Thomas O'Connell died from injuries he received while attempting to rescue a suicidal man. At approximately 1400 hours on January 3, 1912 Patrolman O'Connell observed a man who had jumped into the river in a suicide attempt. Patrolman O’Connell jumped in to save the man, but the man did not want to be saved. The man fiercely fought off Patrolman O’Connell, pulling him under the water. When a rescue boat arrived, they were able to pull Patrolman O’Connell aboard, but the suicidal man never resurfaced from under the water. Patrolman O'Connell was removed to Flower Hospital where he died on June 17, 1912 from the injuries he received while attempting the rescue. Patrolman O'Connell was assigned to the 29th Precinct, the present day 17th Precinct.

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Connell served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Connell.

— 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 June 17, 1912
Badge Number 4159
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Thomas 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 1912, 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

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

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

Across the years
V

Where

Patrolman Thomas E. O'Connell

New York City Police Department · End of Watch June 17, 1912

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E

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