John M. Singer
Agency patch
Detective

John M. Singer

Felonious
End of Watch August 11, 1926
Age 40
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Badge 745
The Vigil Panel 51 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective John Singer was shot and killed by a prisoner inside police headquarters. The subject, who was being held for theft of an automobile, snatched Detective Singer's service revolver from him and shot him. The suspect was apprehended less than 12 hours later after a violent struggle with several policemen, during which one policeman fractured his skull. He was charged with murder but was adjudged insane and sent to Mattewan Insane Asylum. Detective Singer had served with the New York City Police Department for 18 years, assigned to the automobile squad.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two small children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
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.
Detective Singer gave the New York City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Singer.

— 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 August 11, 1926
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 40
Badge Number 745
Gender Male
Assignment Detective Division

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

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 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 40. 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 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% 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

Detective John M. Singer

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 11, 1926

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E

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