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Incident
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction, MD
Keeper Murphy and Warden Peter Mallon were shot and killed when three prisoners tried to escape the Tombs Jail. Pistols had been smuggled into the jail for all three prisoners. The three men faked an illness and were brought to the jail doctor. While they were in the doctor's office, they pulled their guns and attempted to escape. Warden Mallon heard the commotion from his office and came running to stop the escape. The suspect shot and killed him as he entered the doctor's office.
The suspects then fled into the courtyard of the prison where they exchanged shots with Keeper Murphy and his partner. Keeper Murphy was killed and his partner was wounded. As the suspects continued their escape attempt, two were shot and wounded by responding New York City Patrolmen. With no escape possible, all three suspects committed suicide.
Two of the suspects were members of a New York City gang that had robbed merchants. On February 20, 1925, a third member of the gang had murdered Guard Robert Holtman of the Maryland State Division of Corrections, during a successful escape attempt from the state penitentiary in Baltimore, Maryland. The suspect was apprehended in New York, returned to Maryland, and executed on August 14, 1926.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Keeper Murphy gave the New York City Department of Correction 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Elmhurst community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Keeper Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Department of Correction has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Jeremiah is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 2 officers at New York City Department of Correction were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 11 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeremiah was 49. Of the 8 killed feloniously at New York City Department of Correction whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 49.5; the middle age was 43.5. Jeremiah had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Jeremiah was 49. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Jeremiah had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Jeremiah was 49. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jeremiah had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeremiah was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeremiah had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 33.3% of these deaths at New York City Department of Correction, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 22.2%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Wednesdays: 9.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at New York City Department of Correction, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.4% 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 handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Department of Correction has 10 officers remembered here, Jeremiah among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New York City Department of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
