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Patrolman

David Gourley

New York Municipal Police — New York City, NY

Felonious

End of Watch November 5, 1854

Age 36

The Vigil Panel 2 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Patrolman Gourley succumbed to stab wounds he received two days earlier while walking a prisoner to the station house.

As Patrolman Gourley was walking the prisoner to the station, one of the prisoners friends attempted to stop him. The man told the officer that no friend of his was to be arrested. Patrolman Gourley was then stabbed in the cheek. He attempted to take this suspect into custody, but was stabbed again, this time in the side.

The suspect was taken into custody by another officer who came upon the scene.

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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

172 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Gourley served with the New York Municipal Police Force.
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 November 5, 1854

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Stabbed

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

The Sacrifice · Felonious

David 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 1854, 12 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 175th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.

Every year on record · Worldwide

Who

David was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded