Incident
Patrolman John Smedick was shot and killed after being ambushed by a career criminal near the intersection of 1st Avenue and 32nd Street, Manhattan.
Patrolman Smedick was on foot patrol when he was approached by the suspect. Without warning, the suspect shot Patrolman Smedick in the chest. When Patrolman Smedick fell to the ground, the suspect fired again, striking Patrolman Smedick in the head.
A nearby patrolman heard the shots and responded. He chased the suspect on foot while exchanging shots. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He was executed by hanging in 1870.
Patrolman Smedick had served with New York Metropolitan Police Force for five years and had been assigned to the 21st Precinct.
Patrolman Smedick was on foot patrol when he was approached by the suspect. Without warning, the suspect shot Patrolman Smedick in the chest. When Patrolman Smedick fell to the ground, the suspect fired again, striking Patrolman Smedick in the head.
A nearby patrolman heard the shots and responded. He chased the suspect on foot while exchanging shots. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He was executed by hanging in 1870.
Patrolman Smedick had served with New York Metropolitan Police Force for five years and had been assigned to the 21st Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 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
158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Smedick gave the New York Metropolitan Police Force 5 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York Metropolitan Police Force has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1868, 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 1868, 2 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1868, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1868, 26 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 160th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 11 killed feloniously at New York Metropolitan Police Force whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 42; the middle age was 35. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 22.2% of these deaths at New York Metropolitan Police Force, more than any other month. Thursdays: 27.8%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
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 handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
New York Metropolitan Police Force has 22 officers remembered here, John 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 55-W
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