John E. Varecha
Agency patch
Patrolman

John E. Varecha

Felonious
End of Watch October 7, 1968
Age 25
Tour of Duty 10 mo
Badge 26540
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Varecha was shot and killed after stopping a car for running a red light. Patrolman Varecha was standing on his footpost in front of the Canadian Consulate in Manhattan when he observed a vehicle pass through a red light. Patrolman Varecha commandeered a vehicle and gave chase. He was able to stop the vehicle in front of 154 East 54th Street. As Patrolman Varecha approached the stopped vehicle, two men exited. A struggle ensued, followed by several shots. Patrolman Varecha was shot four times and killed. He was able to return fire but missed the suspects. Two off-duty Patrolmen who heard the gunshots responded and arrested both suspects. Both suspects, who were out on bail for two separate shooting incidents at the time they murdered Patrolman Varecha, were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. One suspect was paroled in 1999. The second suspect escaped from prison in 1978. He was captured in California in 1981 and returned to New York. He was released on parole in January 2011. Patrolman Varecha had served with the New York City Police Department for 10 months and was assigned to the 18th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother and father.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtndzv7yjfccv3d6835z8
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 Varecha 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 Varecha.

— 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 October 7, 1968
Tour of Duty 10 mo
Age 25
Badge Number 26540
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 7.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% 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 E. Varecha

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 7, 1968

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E

↑