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Patrolman

George M. Sechler

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch April 14, 1907

Age 30

Badge 2075

The Vigil Panel 21 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Sechler and Patrolman Alfred Selleck were shot and killed by two brothers who had just shot and killed a man after an altercation in Washington Square Park. After shooting the man in the park, the brothers fled on foot with a Sergeant and Patrolman in pursuit. Patrolman Sechler and Selleck were on duty several blocks away when they heard the shots and saw the suspects running towards them. Both Patrolman Sechler and Selleck chased the suspects into a tenement house at 230-232 Thompson Street. The brothers fled up the stairs but were trapped at the top when they came to a locked door. As Patrolman Sechler and Selleck approached the brothers turned and opened fire. Patrolman Selleck was struck two times and fell down the stairs to the stoop. As the suspect was about the fire, a third-time Patrolman Sechler threw his body across his partner to shield him but was himself hit in the stomach. Before he collapsed, he was able to strike the suspect several times about the head and body with his Billy club, knocking the suspect nearly unconscious. As Patrolman Sechler fell to the stoop, the Sergeant who had been in pursuit of the suspects was able to take the suspect into custody. Both Patrolman were removed to Saint Vincent’s hospital. Patrolman Sechler died a few hours later, and Patrolman Selleck died two days later. Both officers had been assigned to the 16th Precinct, which is now the 6th Precinct. The suspect was convicted of both murders and executed at Sing Sing Prison on February 1, 1909.

Survivors

Patrolman Sechler was survived by his wife.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Sechler 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 Sechler.

— 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 April 14, 1907

Age 30

Badge Number 2075

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

George 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.

Compare against

Time

In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

George 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.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded