Frederick Smith

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch October 26, 1897

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

The Vigil Panel 14 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Frederick Smith was shot and killed in the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer, located on Third Street between Avenues A and B, by a burglar who was stealing the "poor box." Patrolman Smith and another Patrolman were on foot patrol when two priests came out of the Church and notified them that someone had broken in. As the Patrolman searched the inside of the Church, Patrolman Smith was shot by the burglar. The subject was apprehended by several citizens as he climbed out a window of the Church. A group of citizens held the subject until additional Patrolmen arrived and took him into custody. The subject was convicted of murder and executed on May 21, 1900. Patrolman Smith had served with the New York Police Department for 15-years and was assigned to the 14th Precinct, the present day 9th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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

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Tributes

129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Smith gave the New York Police Department 15 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

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 26, 1897

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Frederick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1897, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Frederick had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded