James J. Burns
Agency patch
Patrolman

James J. Burns

Accident
End of Watch June 4, 1932
Age 29
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 6441
The Vigil Panel 64 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Burns died of injuries he received in a motorcycle accident while on patrol. Patrolman Burns' motorcycle collided with a coal truck at the corner of Bay Parkway and West Ninth Street, Brooklyn. He died one week later from his injuries. Patrolman Burns had served with the New York City Police Department for seven years and was assigned to Motorcycle Squad 2, the present-day Highway 2.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife of three months.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Burns gave the New York City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burns.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 4, 1932
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 6441
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

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

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 29. 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. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman James J. Burns

New York City Police Department · End of Watch June 4, 1932

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E

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