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Patrolman

Edward L. Burns

New York Municipal Police — New York City, NY

Felonious

End of Watch December 2, 1873

Age 37

Tour of Duty 7 mo

The Vigil Panel 4 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Patrolman Edward Burns was killed when he was struck in the head by a suspect he was walking to the station house.

Patrolman Burns responded with several other Patrolmen to a complaint about a large group of men on Broome Street. The group assaulted the Patrolmen, and Patrolman Burnes was killed.

Patrolman Burns had only served with the New York Municipal Police Department for seven months. He had previously served with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Patrolman Burns was assigned to the 8th Precinct, which is the modern day 1st Precinct.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

153 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Burns served with the New York Municipal Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York Municipal Police

Type Police Department

Location New York City, NY

Platform Identity nymunpd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 2, 1873

Tour of Duty 7 mo

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

See the roll

Compare against

Time

In 1873, 34 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 155th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.

Every year on record · Worldwide

Who

Edward was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded