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Incident
Patrolman John Clancy died of injuries he sustained when he was assaulted by a man he had previously arrested.
Patrolman Clancy was on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Carroll Street, speaking with the local butcher, when a male walked up behind Patrolman Clancy and struck him in the head with a baseball bat. Patrolman Clancy was taken to Seney Hospital where he died one month later from his wounds, which included a fractured skull.
On January 23, 1891, the suspect, 23, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in Sing Sing Prison.
Patrolman Clancy had served with the Brooklyn Police Department for 3 1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Clancy gave the Brooklyn Police Department 3 years.
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 · Felonious
Brooklyn Police Department has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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.
Time
In 1890, 1 officer at Brooklyn Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1876, with 2.
In 1890, 1 officer in NY was killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1890, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1890, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
John had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths at Brooklyn Police Department; July holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 16.7%.
September holds 13.8% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Mondays: 15.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Brooklyn Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 0% of these deaths.
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 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Brooklyn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
