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Incident
Patrolman John Thompson succumbed to injuries sustained on December 18th, 1877, when he was thrown from his horse while attempting to stop a runaway horse pulling a grocery wagon on Bedford Avenue near Van Buren Street (modern-day Clifton Place).
He was impaled by a piece of the grocery cart when he was thrown from his horse.
Patrolman Thompson was assigned to the Mounted Squad.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five 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
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Thompson served with the Brooklyn 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Brooklyn Police Department has lost 9 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1878, 1 officer in NY was lost to accidents, the 110th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1878, 10 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 137th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1878, 14 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 141st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 40. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
John was 40. 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.
John was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
January holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 14.2%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at Brooklyn Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Brooklyn Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Brooklyn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
