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Police Officer

Hiram Hammer

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Accident
United States flag Pennsylvania flag
End of Watch December 21, 1853
Age 36
The Vigil Panel 1 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 378

Incident

Police Officer Hiram Hammer was killed during the collapse of a four-storied brick building on North Third Street between Callowhill Street and Wood Street.

He was attempting to rescue people trapped on the third floor when a wall above them on the fourth floor collapsed through the roof, carrying each floor to the cellar. As a result of the collapse Officer Hammer became pinned and trapped by the debris.

Police Officer Jacob Albright and another officer were attempting to pull him to safety when they were caught in a second collapse of the building, killing Officer Hammer. Officer Albright became trapped when a burning piece of timber fell on him, crushing and burning both of his legs. The other officers assisting Officer Hammer escaped serious injury. Officer Hammer's body was discovered the next morning and was identified by his police badge.

After two hours of trying to free Officer Albright, he was taken to his home where he was treated for his injuries. He succumbed to his injuries four days later at his home.

Officer Hammer served with the Northern Liberties Division and was survived by his wife and six children.

Survivors

Officer Hammer served with the Northern Liberties Division and was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

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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

173 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Hammer served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 21, 1853
Age 36
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Hiram 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1853, 3 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 150th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Hiram was 36. 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.

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

When

December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

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

Philadelphia Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Hiram among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Hiram Hammer

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch December 21, 1853

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E

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