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Special Patrolman

Thomas Sparks

New York Metropolitan Police Force — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch July 9, 1857
Tour of Duty
The Vigil Panel 7 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 21

Incident

Patrolman Sparks succumbed to injuries received when he was struck by an object after arresting a man for assault.

Patrolman Sparks had been appointed a Special Patrolman only one night before due to rioting going on in the city. Two rival gangs, "The Bowery Boys" and "The Dead Rabbits" had faced off against each other.

Patrolman Sparks heard a cry for help, he responded and made an arrest. As Patrolman Sparks was walking the arrested subject toward White Street, he was struck with an object by a member of the "Dead Rabbits" gang. He was taken home where his condition deteriorated he died five days after being assaulted.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

169 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Patrolman Sparks 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

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

Service Record

End of Watch July 9, 1857
Tour of Duty
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Blunt object

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Thomas 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1857, 14 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 166th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York Metropolitan Police Force has 22 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Special Patrolman Thomas Sparks

New York Metropolitan Police Force · End of Watch July 9, 1857

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W

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