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Incident
Patrolman David Martin was stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a suspect that had just burglarized 128 Adams Street in Brooklyn. When a neighbor heard someone in the house he summoned Patrolman Martin. Patrolman Martin gave chase as he fled south on Pearl Street. He overtook the suspect at the corner of Prospect Street and Washington Street. As Patrolman Martin grabbed hold of the suspect, the suspect suddenly turned and stabbed Patrolman Martin twice in the neck. Injured, Patrolman Martin was able to hit the suspect in the head with his club, knocking him senseless to the sidewalk. Two Patrolmen who heard the disturbance responded and captured the suspect. Patrolman Martin was removed to a doctor's office, but the doctor was unable to treat the wounds and Patrolman Martin died 15 minutes later. Patrolman Martin was assigned to the 2nd Precinct, the present day 84th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
165 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Martin served with the New York Metropolitan 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York Metropolitan Police Force has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 1861, 1 officer at New York Metropolitan Police Force was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1864, with 5.
In 1861, 2 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1861, 16 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 163rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1861, 19 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 164th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
August holds 22.2% of these deaths at New York Metropolitan Police Force; July holds the most, 22.2%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at New York Metropolitan Police Force, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
New York Metropolitan Police Force has 22 officers remembered here, David among them.
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Thomas Sparks Jul 9, 1857
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Eugene Anderson Jul 20, 1857
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Horatio Sanger Nov 22, 1857
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John Steward Dec 20, 1859
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David Martin Aug 6, 1861
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Henry L. Williams Oct 14, 1862
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Edward Dippel
Jul 19, 1863
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Peter McIntyre Aug 9, 1863
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John T. Van Buren Nov 7, 1863
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John Starkey Jan 20, 1864
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Austin H. Easterbrook Feb 6, 1864
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George W. Duryea
May 16, 1864
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John J. O'Brien Aug 25, 1864
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Charles Curran Oct 6, 1864
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Joseph Nulett Nov 7, 1864
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Thomas Walker Aug 15, 1865
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Robert S. McChesney Oct 19, 1867
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Charles Thompson Dec 1, 1867
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Henry Corbett Jul 13, 1868
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John Smedick Jul 23, 1868
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John A. Branagan Aug 10, 1869
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Phillip Lambreck Mar 14, 1872
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
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