James Rowley
Agency patch
Police Officer

James Rowley

Accident
End of Watch July 22, 1983
Age 39
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Badge 25696
The Vigil Panel 127 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer James Rowley and Police Officer Charles Trojahn were killed when their helicopter was involved in a mid-air collision over Brooklyn during a traffic patrol. Officer Rowley and Officer Trojahn were traveling over Brooklyn when a seaplane struck the rear rotor of the helicopter, causing it to crash into the East River. Both officers and two of the four passengers on the seaplane were killed. Officer Rowley had served with the New York City Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

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.
Police Officer Rowley gave the New York City Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rowley.

— 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 22, 1983
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Age 39
Badge Number 25696
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

James 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.

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

Time

In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 39. 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. James had served 17 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%. Fridays: 15.1%.

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, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer James Rowley

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 22, 1983

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W

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