Incident
Patrolman Steward was killed in the collapse of a building at 54 and 56 Broad Street in Manhattan.
Patrolman Steward and several other patrolmen responded to the address after much of the building collapsed. Patrolman Steward was assigned a post near the front of the building. After taking his post the rest of the building collapsed, seriously injuring Patrolman Steward and killing a civilian. Patrolman Steward was removed to City Hospital where he died later that day from his injury.
Patrolman Steward was survived by his wife, two daughters and son.
Survivors
Patrolman Steward was survived by his wife, two daughters and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp8b54zwc5p08172k789- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
167 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Steward 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 · Accident
New York Metropolitan Police Force has lost 22 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1859, 1 officer in NY was lost to accidents, the 110th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1859, 2 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 159th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1859, 7 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 164th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 35. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
John was 35. 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.
John was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 8.6% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 18.2% of all 22 deaths at New York Metropolitan Police Force, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
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 32-W
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