John F. Polarolo
Agency patch
Patrolman

John F. Polarolo

Felonious
End of Watch July 20, 1964
Age 27
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 16297
The Vigil Panel 218 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Polarolo succumbed to injuries sustained two weeks earlier when he was struck by intoxicated driver on the Queens side of the Triboro Bridge, at approximately 4:00 am. He and his partner responded to the area to investigate a minor car accident. As he was talking to the vehicles occupants he was struck by a vehicle. His partner chased the driver to the area of Grand Central Parkway and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway where he arrested the driver. Patrolman Polarolo was rushed to Elmhurst City Hospital suffering from multiple head injuries, and fractured leg. The 29-year-driver of the vehicle was charged with Assault with an automobile, driving and drinking, and leaving the scene of an accident. Patrolman Polarolo served with the New York City Police Department for six years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn895ncef8by1552x318
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Polarolo gave the New York City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Polarolo.

— 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 July 20, 1964
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 16297
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John 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.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 27. 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. John had served 6 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; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

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

Patrolman John F. Polarolo

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 20, 1964

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E

↑